US20020068985A1 - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents
Information processing apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20020068985A1 US20020068985A1 US09/945,984 US94598401A US2002068985A1 US 20020068985 A1 US20020068985 A1 US 20020068985A1 US 94598401 A US94598401 A US 94598401A US 2002068985 A1 US2002068985 A1 US 2002068985A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- keyboard
- display unit
- information processing
- processing apparatus
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 230000010365 information processing Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 91
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 85
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 30
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 30
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 21
- 230000003416 augmentation Effects 0.000 description 21
- 210000000887 face Anatomy 0.000 description 14
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 for example Substances 0.000 description 2
- 208000003556 Dry Eye Syndromes Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010013774 Dry eye Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 210000000744 eyelid Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001747 pupil Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000016776 visual perception Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
- G06F3/0219—Special purpose keyboards
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
- F16M11/10—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2021—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a horizontal axis
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
- G06F3/0208—Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of a keyboard, e.g. pivoting legs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/02—Locking means
- F16M2200/021—Locking means for rotational movement
- F16M2200/024—Locking means for rotational movement by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/04—Balancing means
- F16M2200/041—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the head
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/04 - G06F1/32
- G06F2200/16—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/16 - G06F1/18
- G06F2200/163—Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the computer
- G06F2200/1631—Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2223/00—Casings
- H01H2223/044—Protecting cover
Definitions
- This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus which includes a keyboard and a display unit which is supported for pivotal motion on a stand.
- An information processing apparatus which includes a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys provided thereon and a display unit having a display screen and supported for pivotal motion on a stand.
- a conventional information processing apparatus of the type mentioned includes a base having a stand to be placed on a desk and a support arm mounted for pivotal motion on the base.
- a display unit is supported for pivotal motion at the upper end of the support arm. If the support arm is pivoted so as to be tilted forwardly with respect to the base and then the display unit is pivoted with respect to the support arm, then the display unit can be positioned in an inclined relationship such that a display screen thereof is directed substantially upwardly or obliquely forwardly upwards.
- the user can, for example, use an annexed input pen to perform hand-written inputting or use such an annexed input pin and a keyboard to use both of hand-written inputting from the display screen and key inputting through operation keys to perform an inputting operation, an editing operation of inputted information and other necessary operations.
- the display unit is inclined such that the display screen thereof is directed substantially upwardly or obliquely forwardly upwards in this manner, the user can perform an inputting operation and other necessary operations readily in a natural posture like a case wherein the user normally writes characters and so forth on a desk using a writing tool.
- the keyboard does not include a keyboard cover, it is disadvantageous also in that foreign substances such as dust are liable to be admitted into the inside of the keyboard through the gaps between the operation keys and holes formed in the keyboard having the operation keys arranged therein.
- an information processing apparatus comprising a stand including a base to be placed on a desk and a support arm extending uprightly from the base, a display unit having a display screen and supported for pivotal motion on the support arm of the stand, and a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys provided thereon, the support arm including an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, the upper arm portion having an upper pivotal fulcrum at an upper end portion thereof for supporting the display unit for pivotal motion, the lower arm portion having a lower pivotal fulcrum provided at an upper end portion thereof for supporting the upper arm portion for pivotal motion, an accommodation space for accommodating the keyboard placed on the base being formed between the base of the stand and the display unit when the upper arm portion of the support arm is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion around the lower pivotal fulcrum and the display unit is pivoted with respect to the upper arm portion around the upper pivotal fulcrum until the base is covered with the display unit.
- the accommodation space in which the keyboard placed on the base can be accommodated is formed between the base of the stand and the display unit. Consequently, since the keyboard can be accommodated in the accommodation space when the keyboard is not used, the keyboard does not occupy an unnecessary space on the desk, and therefore, reduction of the space can be anticipated. Further, when the keyboard is not used, sticking of dust to the operation keys of the keyboard and admission of dust into the inside of the keyboard can be prevented.
- a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and the keyboard and the keyboard cover can be accommodated in the accommodation space when the keyboard cover is in the covering position.
- a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and the keyboard and the keyboard cover can be accommodated in the accommodation space when the keyboard cover is in the uncovering position.
- the keyboard cover which does not cover over the operation keys can be accommodated in the accommodation space, and consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use of the keyboard can be anticipated.
- an end portion of a face of the display unit opposite to a face on which the display screen is provided contacts with the desk and part of the face of the display unit opposite to the face on which the display screen is provided contacts face-by-face with the upper arm portion of the support arm.
- the display unit can be disposed stably while preventing otherwise possible play of the display unit.
- an accommodation space for accommodating the keyboard is formed between a lower end of the display unit and the base of the stand.
- a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and when the accommodation space is formed, the keyboard with the operation keys covered with the keyboard cover can be disposed in contact with or in the proximity of the display unit forwardly of the display unit, whereas, when the keyboard is disposed forwardly of the display unit, a face of the display unit on which the display screen is provided and an upper face of the keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane.
- the entire display unit and keyboard cover can be used as a hand receiving table. The use of the hand receiving table reduces the fatigue to the arms of the user, and therefore, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the display unit and the keyboard on which the keyboard cover is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance.
- a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and when the accommodation space is formed, the keyboard with the operation keys uncovered can be disposed in contact with or in the proximity of the display unit forwardly of the display unit, whereas, when the keyboard with the operation keys uncovered is disposed forwardly of the display unit, a face of the display unit on which the display screen is provided, an upper face of the keyboard and an upper face of the keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane.
- the entire display unit and keyboard cover can be used as a hand receiving table.
- the use of the hand receiving table reduces the fatigue to the arms of the user, and therefore, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the display unit and the keyboard on which the keyboard cover is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance.
- a one-way clutch mechanism which exerts, when the upper arm portion is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion in a direction in which the display unit is moved down, a load to the moving down force, but does not exert, when the upper arm portion is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion in another direction in which the display unit is moved up, a load to the moving up force, is used for the lower pivotal fulcrum.
- the display unit can be stopped at an arbitrary position. Therefore, the user can use the display unit at a suitable position in accordance with the necessity, and consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the keyboard has a positioning portion at a lower face portion thereof and is movable in a leftward and rightward direction on the base while the display unit covers over the base, and the base of the stand has a position restriction portion for being engaged, when the keyboard is moved in the leftward or rightward direction with respect to the base, by the positioning portion of the keyboard to restrict the position of the keyboard in the leftward and rightward direction.
- some other inputting means other than the keyboard such as an inputting pen is used for inputting
- some of the operation keys disposed on the keyboard can be exposed from the arrangement space and used for inputting. Consequently, efficient operation can be performed within a necessary but minimum space, and augmentation of the convenience of use of the information processing apparatus can be anticipated.
- the keyboard and the display unit are disposed near to the user. Consequently, significant augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the positioning portion of the keyboard may be formed as a projection which projects from the lower face portion, and the position restriction portion of the base may be formed as a recess into which the projection can be inserted.
- the positioning portion is provided at each of the left and right ends of the lower end portion of the keyboard.
- the positioning projections are provided separately from each other at the opposite left and right end portions of the bottom wall of the keyboard, both of the position at which the keyboard projects rightwardly from the accommodation space and the position at which the keyboard projects leftwardly from the accommodation space can be set, which expands the number of different forms of use of the information processing apparatus. Consequently, significant augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the recess of the base has an offset portion formed therein in such a manner as to extend in the leftward and rightward direction and is formed such that a portion of the recess rearwardly of the offset portion has a bottom shallower than a bottom of another portion of the recess which is forwardly of the offset portion.
- a control circuit board for controlling a signal to be outputted upon operation of the operation keys is disposed in the inside of at least one of the positioning portions.
- the disposition of the control circuit board allows the keyboard to be designed with a reduced thickness.
- an accommodation recess is formed in each of the positioning portions on the opposite sides of the keyboard, and a support foot for being accommodated into the accommodation recess is supported for pivotal motion on each of the positioning portions, the keyboard being held in a horizontal state in the leftward and rightward direction by pulling out, while one of the positioning portions is inserted in the recess of the position restriction portion, the support foot from the accommodation recess provided on the other one of the positioning portions and erecting the support foot on the desk.
- the keyboard can be held in a horizontal state very readily.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an entire configuration of an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing a keyboard of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 with a keyboard cover removed;
- FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the keyboard of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in a state wherein operation keys of the keyboard are covered with the keyboard cover;
- FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in a state wherein the operation keys are covered with the keyboard cover;
- FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in another state wherein the operation keys are uncovered;
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in a state wherein the operation keys are uncovered and support feet are pulled out;
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the support feet shown in FIG. 7;
- FIGS. 9, 10, 11 , 12 and 13 are a right side elevational view, a left side elevational view, a front elevational view, a rear elevational view and a top plan view, respectively, showing a stand and a display unit of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the display unit shown in FIG. 9;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a pivotal support mechanism of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15;
- FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view showing a one-way clutch mechanism of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is rotated while a load is applied to an outer race;
- FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 but showing the one-way clutch mechanism when it is rotated while no load is applied to the outer race;
- FIG. 19 is a side elevational view showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is not used and the keyboard is partially accommodated in an accommodation space;
- FIGS. 20 and 21 are a side elevational view and a top plan view, respectively, showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is not used and the keyboard whose operation keys are covered is accommodated in the accommodation space;
- FIG. 22 is a side elevational view showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when the keyboard whose operation keys are uncovered is accommodated in the accommodation space;
- FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used in a standard form of use;
- FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used while the display unit is in its lowered position;
- FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used while the display unit is placed on a desk;
- FIGS. 26 and 27 are a side elevational view and a top plan view, respectively, of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used while the display unit is inclined and the operation keys of the keyboard are covered;
- FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while the display unit is inclined and the operation keys of the keyboard are uncovered;
- FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while a positioning projection on the left side is positioned leftwardly of the base and the keyboard partially projects rightwardly from the accommodation space;
- FIGS. 30 and 31 are top plan views of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while the positioning projection on the left side is positioned in an insertion recess of the base and the keyboard partially projects rightwardly from the accommodation space and besides the keyboard is positioned at the left end and the right end of the range of movement thereof, respectively;
- FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while the positioning projection on the left side is positioned in the insertion recess of the base and the keyboard partially projects rightwardly from the accommodation space;
- FIGS. 33 and 34 are top plan views of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while a positioning projection on the right side is positioned in the insertion recess of the base and the keyboard partially projects leftwardly from the accommodation space and besides the keyboard is positioned at the right end and the left end of the range of movement thereof, respectively;
- FIG. 35 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein one of the positioning projections of the keyboard is inserted into the insertion recess of the base and particularly placed at a shallow portion of the insertion recess;
- FIG. 36 is a similar view but showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein the keyboard is positioned at a rearwardly moved position;
- FIG. 37 is a similar view but showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein the positioning projection of the keyboard is inserted in the insertion recess of the base.
- the information processing apparatus is generally denoted at 1 and includes an apparatus body 2 , a keyboard 3 , a display unit 4 , and a stand 5 for supporting the display unit 4 .
- the apparatus body 2 is of the vertical type vertically elongated as viewed from the front and has an opening/closing lid 2 a provided on the front thereof. If the opening/closing lid 2 a is opened, then a predetermined recording medium can be inserted into a slot not shown of the apparatus body 2 .
- a processing element as a central processing unit (CPU) is provided in the apparatus body 2 and performs various processes for a signal inputted by operation of operation keys or the like of the keyboard 3 which are hereinafter described.
- CPU central processing unit
- the keyboard 3 includes a housing 6 having a horizontally elongated substantially rectangular shape and a plurality of predetermined operation keys 7 disposed on the housing 6 .
- Key arrangement holes are formed in a top wall 6 a of the housing 6 , and the operation keys 7 are disposed in the key arrangement holes.
- a plurality of hot keys 7 a having functions as shortcut keys to Internet mail software and so froth are disposed at a right end portion of the top wall 6 a of the housing 6 .
- Ten keys 7 b for inputting numerical values and so forth are disposed at a portion of the top wall 6 a of the housing 6 on the left side of the hot keys 7 a , and an enter key 7 c is disposed at a position on the left side of the ten keys 7 b.
- Control keys 7 d , alt keys 7 e , a space key 7 f and so forth are arranged in the frontmost one of rows on the left side of the ten keys 7 b . Further, numeral keys 7 g by which numerical values and so forth can be inputted are disposed in the second rearmost row on the left side of the ten keys 7 b , and function keys 7 h are disposed in the rearmost row in a juxtaposed relationship to the numeral keys 7 g . The arrangement of the function keys 7 h in a juxtaposed relationship to the numeral keys 7 g in this manner is effective to reduce the depthwise dimension of the keyboard 3 .
- a pair of positioning projections 8 and 9 are provided at the opposite left and right end portions at a rear end portion of a bottom wall 6 b of the housing 6 .
- the positioning projections 8 and 9 serve as feet when the keyboard 3 is placed on a desk 100 (FIG. 5)or the like.
- the positioning projections 8 and 9 project by an equal projection amount or extent from the bottom wall 6 b of the housing 6 .
- the positioning projection 8 positioned on the left side has a width in the leftward and rightward direction smaller than that of the other positioning projection 9 and has a vertically elongated substantially rectangular shape (refer to FIG. 3).
- the positioning projection 8 has a front face 8 a and a rear face 8 b formed as inclined faces which are displaced toward each other downwardly as seen in FIG. 5.
- a rear seat 8 d formed from a flexible material such as, for example, rubber is adhered to a rear end portion of a bottom face 8 c of the positioning projection 8 as seen in FIG. 3.
- An accommodation recess 10 is formed at a position of the positioning projection 8 forwardly of the rear seat 8 d as seen in FIG. 3.
- the accommodation recess 10 is open downwardly and is open, at a front end portion thereof, sidewardly, that is, at a left side face 6 c of the housing 6 through a communicating portion 10 a .
- a support foot 11 is supported for pivotal motion on the positioning projection 8 as seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8 .
- the support foot 11 has a main portion 11 a and a pulling out projection lib formed integrally with the main portion 11 a and extending leftwardly from one end portion of the main portion 11 a .
- the support foot 11 is supported for pivotal motion around a base end portion 11 c of the main portion 11 a accommodated at a rear end portion of the accommodation recess 10 .
- the pulling out projection 11 b is disposed in the communicating portion 10 a and a left side face 11 d of the pulling out projection 11 b is positioned substantially in the same plane as the left side face 6 c of the housing 6 or projecting a little leftwardly from the left side face 6 c such that the left side face lid is exposed to the left side of the keyboard 3 .
- a lower face 11 e of the support foot 11 is positioned on the same plane as the bottom face 8 c of the positioning projection 8 as seen in FIG. 5.
- the positioning projection 9 positioned on the right side has a length in the forward and backward direction equal to that of the other positioning projection 8 and has a vertically elongated substantially rectangular shape a seen in FIG. 3.
- the positioning projection 9 has a front face 9 a and a rear face 9 b formed as inclined faces which are displaced toward each other downwardly as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.
- the inclination angles of the front face 9 a and the rear face 9 b are equal to those of the front face 8 a and the rear face 8 b of the positioning projection 8 , respectively.
- a rear seat 9 d formed from a flexible material such as, for example, rubber is adhered to a rear end portion of a bottom face 9 c of the positioning projection 9 similarly to the bottom face 8 c of the positioning projection 8 as seen in FIG. 3.
- An accommodation recess 12 is formed at a position of the positioning projection 9 corresponding to the position at which the accommodation recess 10 of the positioning projection 8 is formed as seen in FIG. 3.
- the accommodation recess 12 is open downwardly and is open, at a front half thereof, sidewardly, that is, at a right side face 6 d of the housing 6 through a communicating portion 12 a .
- a support foot 13 is supported for pivotal motion on the positioning projection 9 as seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 .
- the support foot 13 has a main portion 13 a and a pulling out projection 13 b formed integrally with the .main portion 13 a and extending rightwardly from one end portion of the main portion 13 a .
- the support foot 13 is supported for pivotal motion around a base end portion 13 c of the main portion 13 a accommodated at a rear end portion of the accommodation recess 12 .
- the pulling out projection 13 b is disposed in the communicating portion 12 a and a right side face 13 d of the pulling out projection 13 b is positioned substantially in the same plane as the right side face 6 d of the housing 6 or projecting a little rightwardly from the right side face 6 d such that the right side face 13 d of the support foot 13 is exposed to the right side of the keyboard 3 .
- a lower face 13 e of the support foot 13 is positioned on the same plane as the bottom face 9 c of the positioning projection 9 as seen in FIG. 6.
- the pulling out projections 11 b and 13 b are disposed in the communicating portions 10 a and 12 a , respectively, and the left side face 11 d of the support foot 11 and the right side face 13 d of the support foot 13 are exposed to the opposite sides of the keyboard 3 . Accordingly, the user can pull out the support foot 11 or 13 accommodated in the accommodation recess 10 or 12 by pivoting the support foot 11 or 13 while the left side face lid or the right side face 13 d is held inwardly with its finger. Therefore, the support feet 11 and 13 can be pulled out from the accommodation recesses 10 and 12 , respectively, without reversing the keyboard 3 , thereby achieving augmentation of the convenience of use of the keyboard 3 .
- the keyboard 3 is placed on the desk 100 while the support feet 11 and 13 are accommodated in the accommodation recesses 10 and 12 , respectively, then it is inclined forwardly downwards moderately as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. On the other hand, if the keyboard 3 is placed on the desk 100 while both of the support feet 11 and 13 are pulled out, then it is inclined forwardly downwards with a greater inclination angle than that where the keyboard 3 is placed on the desk 100 with the support feet 11 and 13 accommodated in the accommodation recesses 10 and 12 , respectively.
- a control circuit board 14 for controlling various signals to be outputted when the operation keys 7 are operated is disposed in the inside of the positioning projection 9 as seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, since the control circuit board 14 is not disposed in the inside of the housing 6 other than the positioning projections 8 and 9 , the keyboard 3 can be formed with a thickness reduced as much.
- a pair of front seats 15 are adhered to the opposite left and right end portions of a front end portion of the bottom wall 6 b of the housing 6 as seen in FIG. 3.
- the front seats 15 are formed from a rubber material or the like similar to that of the rear seats 8 d and 9 d adhered to the positioning projections 8 and 9 , respectively.
- the front seats 15 have a semicircular shape projecting downwardly as viewed from sidewardly and normally contact with the desk 100 irrespective of the inclination angle of the keyboard 3 as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7 .
- the keyboard 3 is supported at the four points thereof including the front seats 15 and the rear seats 8 d and 9 d on the desk 100 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.
- the keyboard 3 is supported at the four points thereof including the front seats 15 and the support feet 11 and 13 on the desk 100 as seen in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the keyboard 3 is placed normally stably on the desk 100 .
- the housing 6 since the bottom wall 6 b of the housing 6 and the bottom faces 8 c and 9 c of the positioning projections 8 and 9 do not contact directly with the top face of the desk 100 at all, the housing 6 can be prevented from being abraded or damaged.
- the housing 6 has a front wall 6 e formed such that an upper portion 6 f thereof is formed in a substantially semicircular shape which is convex forwardly as viewed from sidewardly and a lower portion 6 g contiguous to the upper portion 6 f is formed as an inclined portion which is displaced downwardly rearwards as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7 .
- a pair of forwardly open support recesses 6 h are formed at portions rather near to the left and right ends of a front end portion of the housing 6 , and a support shaft 6 i extends in and through each of the support recesses 6 h as seen in FIG. 3.
- a keyboard cover 16 is supported for pivotal motion on the support shafts 6 i as seen in FIGS. 4 to 7 .
- the keyboard cover 16 is formed as a substantially rectangular flat plate having a size sufficient to cover over all of the operation keys 7 disposed on the keyboard 3 except the hot keys 7 a .
- the keyboard cover 16 has a first cover member 17 and a second cover member 18 .
- a pair of supported projections 19 are formed in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other integrally at an end portion 17 b of an inner face 17 a of the first cover member 17 .
- the other end portion of the first cover member 17 is connected for pivotal motion to an end portion of the second cover member 18 by a hinge fulcrum 20 .
- the first cover member 17 is inclined such that the end portion 17 b , that is, a front end portion, thereof is displaced forwardly downwards when it covers over the operation keys 7 .
- a pair of small projections 17 d having a small semispherical shape are formed in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other at positions rather near to the hinge fulcrum 20 of an outer face 17 c of the first cover member 17 .
- the hinge fulcrum 20 is provided on the inner face 17 a of the first cover member 17 and an inner face 18 a of the second cover member 18 . Accordingly, in any of a state wherein the keyboard cover 16 covers over the operation keys 7 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 and another state wherein the keyboard cover 16 is folded as hereinafter described as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hinge fulcrum 20 cannot be visually observed by the user. Therefore, the keyboard 3 has a good appearance in this regard.
- the second cover member 18 is inclined such that a free end portion 18 b , that is, a rear end portion, thereof is displaced rearwardly downwardly when it covers over the operation keys 7 .
- a pair of support portions 18 c are integrally formed at the opposite left and right end portions of the second cover member 18 and project from the inner face 18 a .
- the support portions 18 c have a lower face formed as a moderate curved face.
- Each of the supported projections 19 has a base end portion 19 a contiguous to the first cover member 17 and an free end portion 19 b bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the base end portion 19 a and having a supported slit 19 c formed thereon as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7 .
- the support shafts 6 i provided at the front end portion of the housing 6 are inserted in the supported slits 19 c to support the keyboard cover 16 for pivotal motion on the housing 6 .
- the keyboard cover 16 is pivoted so as to be positioned forwardly of the housing 6 , then the operation keys 7 having been covered with the keyboard cover 16 are uncovered so that all of the operation keys 7 can be operated. Then, if the first cover member 17 and the second cover member 18 are pivoted around the hinge fulcrum 20 so as to be folded together, then the keyboard cover 16 can be used as a hand receiving table (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7).
- the keyboard cover 16 is folded such that the inner face 17 a of the first cover member 17 and the inner face 18 a of the second cover member 18 move toward each other, and the keyboard cover 16 in the folded state is placed forwardly of the housing 6 on the desk 100 .
- the second cover member 18 is positioned above the first cover member 17 and the free end portion 18 b of the second cover member 18 contacts with a front end portion of the top wall 6 a of the housing 6 .
- the lower portion 6 g of the front wall 6 e of the housing 6 is inclined so as to be displaced downwardly rearwards as described hereinabove, a space is formed below the upper portion 6 f forwardly of the lower portion 6 g , and a front end portion of the end portion 17 b of the first cover member 17 contacts with a lower edge of the upper portion 6 f . Meanwhile, the first cover member 17 is supported at the small projections 17 d thereof on the desk 100 .
- the keyboard cover 16 Since the front end portion of the free end portion 18 b of the second cover member 18 contacts with the front end portion of the top wall 6 a while the front end portion of the end portion 17 b of the first cover member 17 contacts with the upper portion 6 f and the first cover member 17 is supported at the small projections 17 d thereof on the desk 100 as described above, the keyboard cover 16 is placed stably on the desk 100 and the user can use the keyboard cover 16 as a hand receiving table whose hand receiving face is provided by an outer face 18 d of the second cover member 18 . At this time, the second cover member 18 of the keyboard cover 16 is inclined forwardly downwards moderately. Further, since the keyboard cover 16 contacts only at the small projections 17 d thereof with the desk 100 , otherwise possible damage to the keyboard cover 16 can be prevented.
- the keyboard cover 16 can be used as a hand receiving table in any of a state wherein the keyboard 3 is placed on the desk 100 while the support feet 11 and 13 are accommodated in the accommodation recesses 10 and 12 , respectively, and another state wherein the keyboard 3 is placed on the desk 100 while the support feet 11 and 13 are pulled out from the accommodation recesses 10 and 12 , respectively.
- the display unit 4 has a display screen 22 provided on the front of a panel 21 thereof and has a horizontal dimension substantially equal to a horizontal dimension of the keyboard 3 as seen in FIGS. 9 to 14 .
- the panel 21 includes a front panel 23 and a rear panel 24 coupled to each other, and the display screen 22 is provided on the front of the front panel 23 as seen in FIG. 11.
- the front panel 23 has a pair of speaker sections (not shown) provided thereon on the opposite sides of the panel 21 .
- the front panel 23 has a lower end edge formed as an inclined edge 23 a which is displaced downwardly rearwards.
- a pair of dial knobs 25 and 26 for adjusting the brightness or the sound volume of the display screen 22 are provided on the right side face of the front panel 23 as seen in FIG. 9.
- a central upper end portion 24 c of the rear panel 24 except a left end portion 24 a and a right end portion 24 b is inclined so as to project downwardly rearwards as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12 to 14 .
- portions on the opposite side of a central portion 24 d that is, a left side middle portion 24 e and a right side middle portion 24 f , are provided such that they project rearwardly rather than the left end portion 24 a and the right end portion 24 b.
- a pair of ground seats 27 formed from a flexible material such as rubber are adhered to lower edges of the left side middle portion 24 e and the right side middle portion 24 f as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12 and 14 .
- the ground seats 27 are adhered such that they extend from the lower edges of rear faces of the left side middle portion 24 e and the right side middle portion 24 f to the rear edges of lower faces of the left side middle portion 24 e and the right side middle portion 24 f , respectively.
- a middle portion of the central portion 24 d in the upward and downward direction is provided as a supported portion 28 partly projected rearwardly as seen in FIGS. 12 and 14.
- a face of the central portion 24 d above the supported portion 28 is formed as a first inclined face (upper inclined face) 24 g which is displaced forwardly toward the supported portion 28
- another face of the central portion 24 d below the supported portion 28 is formed as a second inclined face 24 h which is displaced forwardly toward the supported portion 28 as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 14 .
- the stand 5 includes a base 29 and a support arm 30 extending upwardly from a rear end portion of the base 29 as seen in FIGS. 9 to 13 .
- a left side portion and a right side portion of an upper face of the base 29 except a front end portion 29 a are formed as moderately inclined portions 29 b which are displaced rearwardly upwards as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Also the front end portion 29 a is inclined so as to be displaced rearwardly upwards. The inclination angle of the front-end portion 29 a is greater than that of the inclined portions 29 b.
- a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 31 and a mouse connector 32 are provided on a right side face of the base 29 as seen in FIG. 9. Meanwhile, a keyboard connector 33 is provided on a left side wall of the base 29 as seen in FIG. 10.
- USB Universal Serial Bus
- An insertion recess 34 opened upwardly is formed on the top face of the base 29 such that it is positioned between the inclined portions 29 b as seen in FIGS. 9 to 11 and 13 .
- a front end of a bottom face 35 of the insertion recess 34 is contiguous to front ends of the inclined portions 29 b , and a portion of the bottom face 35 which is contiguous to the rear side of an offset or shouldered portion 35 a is formed as a deep bottom portion 35 c which is deeper than a shallow bottom portion 35 b.
- the shallow bottom portion 35 b and the deep bottom portion 35 c are both formed as inclined faces which are moderately inclined rearwardly upwards.
- the deep bottom portion 35 c has a dimension in the forward and backward direction equal to or a little greater than the dimension of the bottom faces 8 c and 9 c of the positioning projections 8 and 9 of the keyboard 3 in the forward and backward direction.
- a face portion of the bottom face 35 which is rearwardly contiguous to the deep bottom portion 35 c is formed as an inclined face 35 d which is displaced rearwardly upwards.
- the inclined face 35 d has an inclination angle smaller than that of the rear faces 8 b and 9 b of the positioning projections 8 and 9 . Further, the inclination angle of the offset portion 35 a and the inclination angle of the front faces 8 a and 9 a of the positioning projections 8 and 9 are substantially equal to each other.
- a left side opening edge and a right side opening edge of the insertion recess 34 are formed as position restriction portions 36 and 37 for restricting movement of the keyboard 3 when the keyboard 3 is moved in the leftward or rightward direction as hereinafter described. Also a left side edge and a right side edge of the base 29 are formed as position restriction portions 38 and 39 for restricting movement of the keyboard 3 .
- the support arm 30 includes an upper arm member 40 and a lower arm member 41 , and the upper arm member 40 is supported for pivotal motion on the lower arm member 41 as seen in FIGS. 9 to 13 .
- the display unit 4 is supported for pivotal motion at an upper end portion of the upper arm member 40 through the supported portion 28 .
- the portion of the upper arm member 40 at which the display unit 4 is supported serves as an upper pivotal fulcrum 42 .
- the lower arm member 41 is provided integrally with the base 29 and supports, at an upper end portion thereof, a lower end portion of the upper arm member 40 .
- the portion of the upper arm member 40 at which it is supported on the lower arm member 41 serves as a lower pivotal fulcrum 43 .
- the support arm 30 is inclined a little forwardly from the vertical direction as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10.
- a pivotal support mechanism 44 is provided in the inside of the stand 5 as seen in FIG. 15.
- the pivotal support mechanism 44 allows the display unit 4 to be pivoted with respect to the upper arm member 40 and allows the upper arm member 40 to be pivoted with respect to the lower arm member 41 .
- the pivotal support mechanism 44 has a pair of base brackets 45 disposed at lower end portions thereof in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other.
- Each of the base brackets 45 has a base portion 45 a and a support portion 45 b formed integrally with and extending uprightly from the base portion 45 a .
- a stopper pin 45 c is provided at a rear end portion of an inner face of the each of the support portion 45 b such that it extends inwardly.
- a torque bracket 46 positioned on the left side includes a mounting piece 46 a and a supported piece 46 b formed integrally with the mounting piece 46 a such that it extends in a perpendicular direction from a left side edge of the mounting piece 46 a .
- a torque bracket 47 positioned on the right side includes a mounting piece 47 a and a pair of supported pieces 47 b formed integrally with the mounting piece 47 a such that they extend in a perpendicular direction from the opposite left and right side edges of the mounting piece 47 a .
- the supported pieces 46 b and 47 b of the torque brackets 46 and 47 have first engaging recesses 46 c and 47 c and second engaging recesses 46 d and 47 d formed in a circumferentially spaced relationship from each other thereon, respectively.
- the supported piece 46 b of the torque bracket 46 is supported for pivotal motion on the support portion 45 b of the base bracket 45 on the left side by a shaft 48 .
- the supported pieces 47 b of the torque bracket 47 are supported for pivotal motion on the support portion 45 b of the base bracket 45 on the right side by a shaft 49 .
- the shaft 49 is longer than the shaft 48 and projects leftwardly by a great extent from the corresponding base bracket 45 .
- a one-way clutch mechanism 50 is interposed between the base bracket 45 on the right side and the torque bracket 47 .
- the one-way clutch mechanism 50 includes a plurality of rollers 52 interposed between an outer race 51 and the shaft 48 which serves as an inner race as seen in FIGS. 16 to 18 .
- a plurality of cam faces 51 a in the form of a curved face are formed in an equally spaced relationship from each other in a circumferential direction on an inner face of the outer race 51 , and the rollers 52 are disposed individually corresponding to the cam faces 51 a .
- the rollers 52 are supported for movement in circumferential directions with a retainer 53 and a spring member 54 interposed between each adjacent ones thereof.
- the torque bracket 47 can be turned in the one direction until the first engaging recess 47 c is engaged with the stopper pin 45 c of the corresponding base bracket 45 .
- the torque bracket 46 is pivoted integrally with the torque bracket 47 , and when the first engaging recess 47 c is engaged with the stopper pin 45 c of one of the base brackets 45 , also the first engaging recess 46 c is engaged with the stopper pin 45 c of the other base bracket 45 .
- the torque bracket 47 can be pivoted in the opposite direction until the second engaging recess 47 d is engaged with the stopper pin 45 c of the base bracket 45 .
- the torque bracket 46 is pivoted integrally with the torque bracket 47 , and when the second engaging recess 47 d is engaged with the stopper pin 45 c of one of the base brackets 45 , also the second engaging recess 46 d is engaged with the stopper pin 45 c of the other base bracket 45 .
- a main plate 55 is attached at a lower end portion thereof to the mounting pieces 46 a and 47 a of the torque brackets 46 and 47 by means of screws.
- a pair of support brackets 56 are attached in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other to an upper end portion of the main plate 55 by means of screws.
- Each of the support brackets 56 includes a mounted piece 56 a and a pair of support pieces 56 b formed integrally with the mounted piece 56 a such that they extend in a perpendicular direction from the opposite left and right side edges of the mounted piece 56 a .
- a shaft 57 is supported against rotation on the support pieces 56 b and partially extends outwardly from one of the support pieces 56 b which is positioned on the outer side.
- a torque bracket 58 is supported for pivotal motion at an outer end portion of each of the shafts 57 .
- Each of the torque brackets 58 includes a mounted piece 58 a and a support piece 58 b formed integrally on the mounted piece 58 a in such a manner as to project in a perpendicular direction from the mounted piece 58 a and supported on the shaft 57 .
- a coil spring 59 is disposed between the outwardly positioned support piece 56 b of each of the support brackets 56 and the support piece 58 b of the corresponding torque bracket 58 and fitted around the corresponding shaft 57 .
- Each of the coil springs 59 has an inner end portion 59 a supported on a corresponding one of the support pieces 56 b and an outer end portion 59 b supported on a corresponding one of the support pieces 58 b.
- the pivotal support mechanism 44 is configured in such a manner as described above.
- the base brackets 45 are disposed in the inside of the lower arm member 41 and the base 29 and are secured at the base portions 45 a thereof in the inside of the base 29 .
- the torque brackets 46 and 47 , main plate 55 and support brackets 56 are disposed in the inside of the upper arm member 40 .
- the torque brackets 58 are disposed in the inside of the display unit 4 and are secured at the mounted pieces 58 a thereof in the inside of the display unit 4 .
- the display unit 4 is pivoted with respect to the upper arm member 40 around the upper pivotal fulcrum 42 , then the torque brackets 58 are pivoted under suitable friction exerted from the shafts 57 . Accordingly, the display unit 4 can be stopped at an arbitrary pivoted position with respect to the upper arm member 40 . In this instance, since the pivotal motion of the display unit 4 with respect to the upper arm member 40 may exert a force to urge the display unit 4 to pivot in a direction opposite to the pivoting direction to return the display unit 4 in the direction opposite to the pivoting direction, when the display unit 4 is pivoted to a certain position, a force to urge the display unit 4 in the pivoting direction is generated by the coil springs 59 .
- the one-way clutch mechanism 50 is used for the lower pivotal fulcrum 43 , when the user tries to lift the display unit 4 , no load acts upon the user except the weight of the display unit 4 and the upper arm member 40 themselves, and consequently, the display unit 4 can be lifted readily with weak force. In this regard, augmentation of the convenience of use of the information processing apparatus 1 can be anticipated.
- the display unit 4 can be stopped at an arbitrary position, the display unit 4 can be used at a suitable position.
- the keyboard 3 is connected to the keyboard connector 33 while a mouse 60 is connected to the mouse connector 32 .
- the keyboard 3 and the mouse 60 are thus connected to the apparatus body 2 by a connection cable 61 through the keyboard connector 33 and the mouse connector 32 , respectively.
- the display unit 4 is connected to the apparatus body 2 by the connection cable 61 .
- the USB connector 31 provided on the stand 5 is connected to the apparatus body 2 by the connection cable 61 .
- the information processing apparatus 1 includes an inputting pen 62 for hand-written inputting.
- the inputting pen 62 is held on a pen stand 63 when it is not used.
- the display unit 4 is positioned such that the display screen 22 is directed forwardly as seen in FIG. 19.
- the lower end of the display unit 4 is positioned immediately forwardly of the lower pivotal fulcrum 43 , and an accommodation space 64 is formed between the display unit 4 and the base 29 of the stand 5 positioned below the display unit 4 .
- a rear end portion of the keyboard 3 can be inserted from forwardly into the accommodation space 64 until the keyboard 3 is placed on the base 29 of the stand 5 .
- the bottom wall 6 b of the housing 6 of the keyboard 3 is received by the inclined portions 29 b of the base 29 . Since the keyboard 3 is placed on the base 29 and accommodated in the accommodation space 64 when it is not used, the keyboard 3 does not occupy an unnecessary large area of the desk 100 , and consequently, reduction of the space can be anticipated.
- the keyboard 3 can be accommodated between the display unit 4 and the base 29 of the stand 5 as seen in FIGS. 20 to 22 .
- the upper arm member 40 is pivoted in a forwardly tilting direction around the lower pivotal fulcrum 43 with respect to the lower arm member 41 and the display unit 4 is pivoted around the upper pivotal fulcrum 42 with respect to the upper arm member 40 to a position in which the display screen 22 thereof is directed upwardly until the ground seats 27 adhered to the rear panel 24 of the display unit 4 are brought into contact with the desk 100 .
- the upper inclined face 24 g of the rear panel 24 contacts face-by-face with the upper arm member 40 .
- the inclination angle ⁇ of the display unit 4 with respect to the desk 100 is approximately 22 °.
- an accommodation space 65 is formed between the rear panel 24 of the display unit 4 and the base 29 of the stand 5 , and the keyboard 3 is accommodated in the accommodation space 65 . Since the leftward and rightward dimension of the keyboard 3 and the leftward and rightward dimension of the display unit 4 are substantially equal to each other, the keyboard 3 accommodated in the accommodation space 65 is entirely covered from above with the display unit 4 as seen in FIG. 21. In this instance, a fixed gap is left between the keyboard 3 and the display unit 4 so that they may not interfere with each other.
- the keyboard 3 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 65 when it is not used as described above, the keyboard 3 does not occupy an unnecessary area of the desk 100 , and consequently, reduction of the space can be anticipated.
- the state wherein the keyboard 3 is accommodated in the accommodation space 65 is a manner of use when, for example, hand-written inputting is performed using only the inputting pen 62 without using the keyboard 3 . Also in such a manner of use, reduction of the space can be anticipated.
- the keyboard 3 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 65 in any of a state wherein the operation keys 7 are covered with the keyboard cover 16 as seen in FIG. 20 and another state wherein the operation keys 7 are uncovered and the keyboard cover 16 is disposed forwardly of the keyboard 3 as seen in FIG. 22.
- the keyboard 3 can be accommodated into the accommodation space 65 . Consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use of the keyboard 3 can be anticipated.
- FIG. 23 illustrates a standard form of use of the information processing apparatus 1 .
- the upper arm member 40 is not pivoted with respect to the lower arm member 41 , and the display unit 4 is set to a suitable angle in accordance with the eyes of the user.
- the operation keys 7 of the keyboard 3 are uncovered, and the keyboard cover 16 is positioned in a folded state forwardly of the keyboard 3 . Accordingly, the user can operate all of the operation keys 7 of the keyboard 3 and further can use the inputting pen 62 to perform an inputting operation.
- the keyboard cover 16 in the folded state can be used as a hand receiving table as described above, which allows the user to operate the operation keys 7 easily. Consequently, augmentation in convenience of use can be anticipated.
- FIG. 24 illustrates another form of use of the information processing apparatus 1 wherein the display unit 4 is positioned at a rather lowered position.
- FIG. 25 illustrates a further form of use of the information processing apparatus 1 wherein the display unit 4 rests on the desk 100 .
- the information processing apparatus 1 is used with the display unit 4 positioned at a lowered position as seen in FIG. 24 or 25 , the eyes of the user are lowered correspondingly, which lowers the eyelids and therefore is effective to prevent the pupils from becoming dry (dry eye).
- the display screen 22 is normally directed obliquely forwardly upwards from the relationship of the eyes of the user.
- the inclined edge 23 a at the lower end of the front panel 23 and the rear faces 8 b and 9 b of the positioning projections 8 and 9 of the keyboard 3 extend substantially parallelly as described hereinabove and as seen in FIG. 25. Consequently, the display unit 4 and the keyboard 3 provide to the user a feeling that they are unitary, and exhibit a good appearance.
- the ground seats 27 are provided such that they extend from the lower edges of the rear faces of the left side middle portion 24 e and the right side middle portion 24 f of the display unit 4 to the rear edges of the lower faces of the left side middle portion 24 e and the right side middle portion 24 f as described hereinabove, even when the display unit 4 is placed on the desk 100 and set to any pivoted position, the ground seats 27 always contact with the desk 100 such that the display unit 4 can be received stably on the desk 100 . Besides, otherwise possible damage to the display unit 4 can be prevented.
- FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a form of use of the information processing apparatus 1 in a state wherein the display screen 22 of the display unit 4 is inclined or tilted most from the vertical position.
- the display unit 4 is inclined (at the inclination angle a of approximate 22°) in a state same as the state in which the accommodation space 65 described above is formed, and the ground seats 27 contact with the desk 100 and the upper inclined face 24 g of the rear panel 24 contacts face-by-face with the upper arm member 40 .
- the keyboard 3 is placed on the desk 100 in a neighboring or contacting relationship forwardly of the display unit 4 , and the operation keys 7 thereof are covered with the keyboard cover 16 . In this state, hand-written inputting is usually performed using the inputting pen 62 through the display screen 22 . However, also it is possible to operate the hot keys 7 a which are not covered with the keyboard cover 16 .
- the user When the user performs an inputting operation using the inputting pen 62 , the user can place its hands or arms on the upper face of the keyboard cover 16 . In this instance, the display unit 4 and the keyboard cover 16 entirely act as a hand receiving table. Accordingly, the fatigue to the arms is reduced, and consequently, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience in use can be anticipated.
- the upper edge of the rear end portion of the keyboard 3 is positioned in the neighborhood of or in contact with the display unit 4 , and the keyboard 3 is inclined moderately forwardly downwards.
- the rear end edge of the keyboard cover 16 is positioned in the neighborhood of the front edge of the display unit 4 , and the face of the display unit 4 on which the display screen 22 is provided and the upper face of the keyboard cover 16 are positioned in the substantially same plane. Accordingly, the display unit 4 and the keyboard 3 on which the keyboard cover 16 is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance.
- FIG. 28 illustrates a form of use of the information processing apparatus 1 in the state wherein the display screen 22 of the display unit 4 is inclined most from the vertical position.
- the operation keys 7 are uncovered, and the keyboard cover 16 is positioned in a folded state forwardly of the keyboard 3 .
- the display unit 4 is inclined (at the inclination angle a of approximate 22°) in a state same as the state wherein the accommodation space 65 described hereinabove is formed, and the ground seats 27 contact with the desk 100 and the upper inclined face 24 g of the rear panel 24 contact face-by-face with the upper arm member 40 .
- the keyboard 3 When the keyboard 3 is used to perform an inputting operation, the user can place its hands or arms on the outer face 18 d of the second cover member 18 of the keyboard cover 16 , and therefore, the keyboard cover 16 serves as a hand receiving table. Accordingly, the fatigue to the arms is reduced, and consequently, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience in use can be anticipated.
- the upper edge of the rear end portion of the keyboard 3 is positioned in the neighborhood of or in contact with the display unit 4 , and the keyboard 3 is inclined moderately forwardly downwards.
- the rear end edge of the keyboard cover 16 is positioned in the neighborhood of the front edge of the display unit 4 , and the face of the display unit 4 on which the display screen 22 is provided, the top wall 6 a of the housing 6 of the keyboard 3 and the outer face 18 d of the second cover member 18 of the keyboard cover 16 are positioned in the substantially same plane. Accordingly, the display unit 4 and the keyboard 3 on which the keyboard cover 16 is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance.
- the accommodation space 65 serves also as an arrangement space in which part of the keyboard 3 is disposed.
- the keyboard 3 is moved rightwardly from a position in which the keyboard 3 with the operation keys 7 uncovered is accommodated in the accommodation space 65 until the positioning projection 8 is brought into contact with the left side edge of the base 29 of the stand 5 , that is, with the position restriction portion 38 and further rightward movement of the keyboard 3 is prevented by the position restriction portion 38 so that the keyboard 3 projects from the accommodation space 65 as seen in FIG. 29.
- all of the hot keys 7 a and most of the ten keys 7 b are exposed rightwardly from the accommodation space 65 . Accordingly, the user can perform both of a hand-written inputting operation by means of the inputting pen 62 and an inputting operation by means of the hot keys 7 a and the ten keys 7 b.
- the positioning projection 9 positioned on the right side of the keyboard 3 has a great width such that, when the keyboard 3 is accommodated in the accommodation space 65 , the left edge of the positioning projection 9 is positioned in contact with or in the proximity of the right side edge of the stand 5 , that is, the position restriction portion 39 as seen in FIG. 21. Accordingly, even if it is tried to move the keyboard 3 leftwardly from the position wherein the keyboard 3 is accommodated in the accommodation space 65 , the positioning projection 9 contacts with and is stopped by the position restriction portion 39 against such movement. Consequently, the keyboard 3 does not project leftwardly from the display unit 4 .
- the portion provided originally as a base seat portion on the keyboard 3 is used as the positioning projections 8 and 9 and the opposite side edges of the stand 5 are used as the position restriction portions 38 and 39 to restrict movement of the keyboard 3 in the leftward and rightward directions. Accordingly, a special positioning projection or positioning restriction element need not be provided on the keyboard 3 or the stand 5 , and the keyboard 3 can be positioned in the leftward and rightward directions readily without increasing the production cost.
- FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate different forms of use of the information processing apparatus 1 when the operation keys 7 are uncovered and the positioning projection 8 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 of the stand 5 while the keyboard 3 is partially exposed rightwardly from the accommodation space 65 .
- FIG. 30 shows the keyboard 3 positioned at the left end of the range of movement where the positioning projection 8 is disposed in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 .
- the keyboard 3 is positioned with the left edge of the positioning projection 8 contacted with the position restriction portion 36 which is the left side opening edge of the insertion recess 34 , and not only the hot keys 7 a and the ten keys 7 b but also the enter key 7 c and so forth are exposed rightwardly from the accommodation space 65 .
- the user can use both of a handwritten inputting operation by means of the inputting pen 62 and an inputting operation by means of the hot keys 7 a , ten keys 7 b , enter key 7 c and so forth.
- This form of use is convenient to a user such as a business user who frequently operates those operation keys 7 which are disposed at a right side portion of the keyboard 3 .
- FIG. 31 shows the keyboard 3 positioned at the right end of the range of movement when the positioning projection 8 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 .
- the keyboard 3 is positioned with the right edge of the positioning projection 8 contacted with the position restriction portion 37 which is the right side opening edge of the insertion recess 34 , and those operation keys 7 disposed at the further right side portion of the keyboard 3 than that in FIG. 30 are exposed rightwardly from the accommodation space 65 .
- this form of use is convenient to a user such as a business user who frequently operates those operation keys 7 which are disposed at the right side portion of the keyboard 3 .
- the user can position the keyboard 3 at an arbitrary position within the range of movement when the positioning projection 8 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 .
- the right side support foot 13 supported on the positioning projection 9 must be pulled out from the corresponding accommodation recess 12 . If the support foot 13 is pulled out, then the positioning projection 8 on the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 and the support foot 13 on the desk 100 hold the keyboard 3 in a state wherein it is not inclined in the leftward and rightward directions as seen in FIG. 32.
- FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate different forms of use wherein part of the keyboard 3 is exposed leftwardly from the accommodation space 65 while the operation keys 7 are uncovered and the positioning projection 9 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 of the stand 5 .
- FIG. 33 shows the keyboard 3 positioned at the right end of the range of movement when the positioning projection 9 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 .
- the keyboard 3 is positioned with the right edge of the positioning projection 9 contacted with the position restriction portion 37 of the insertion recess 34 , and a control key 7 d , an alt key 7 e , space key 7 f and so forth are exposed leftwardly from the accommodation space 65 .
- the user can use both of a handwritten inputting operation by means of the inputting pen 62 and an inputting operation by means of the control key 7 d , alt keys 7 e , space key 7 f and so forth.
- This form of use is convenient particularly to a user such as a creator user who frequently operates those operation keys 7 which are disposed at the left side portion of the keyboard 3 .
- FIG. 34 shows the keyboard 3 positioned at the left end of the range of movement when the positioning projection 9 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 .
- the keyboard 3 is positioned with the left edge of the positioning projection 9 contacted with the position restriction portion 36 of the insertion recess 34 , and those operation keys 7 disposed at the further left side portion of the keyboard 3 than that in FIG. 33 are exposed leftwardly from the accommodation space 65 .
- this form of use is convenient to a user such as a creator user who frequently operates those operation keys 7 which are disposed at the left side portion of the keyboard 3 .
- the user can position the keyboard 3 at an arbitrary position within the range of movement when the positioning projection 9 is inserted in the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 .
- the left side support foot 11 supported on the positioning projection 8 must be pulled out from the corresponding accommodation recess 10 . If the support foot 11 is pulled out, then the positioning projection 9 on the deep bottom portion 35 c of the insertion recess 34 and the support foot 11 on the desk 100 hold the keyboard 3 in a state wherein it is not inclined in the leftward and rightward directions.
- the portion provided originally as a base seat portion on the keyboard 3 is used as the positioning projections 8 and 9 and the opposite side opening edges of the insertion recess 34 are used as the position restriction portions 36 and 37 to restrict movement of the keyboard 3 in the leftward and rightward directions. Accordingly, a special positioning projection or positioning restriction element need not be provided on the keyboard 3 or the stand 5 , and the keyboard 3 can be positioned in the leftward and rightward directions readily without increasing the production cost.
- both of the position at which the keyboard 3 projects rightwardly from the accommodation space 65 and the position at which the keyboard 3 projects leftwardly from the accommodation space 65 can be set, which expands the number of different forms of use of the information processing apparatus 1 . Consequently, significant augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the keyboard 3 can be held in a state wherein it is not inclined in the leftward and rightward directions. Therefore, the state wherein the keyboard 3 is not inclined can be held very readily.
- the keyboard 3 can be moved in the leftward or rightward direction so that it can be partially projected sidewardly from the accommodation space 65 .
- Such insertion of the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 of the keyboard 3 into the deep bottom portion 35 c is performed in the following manner (refer to FIGS. 35 to 37 ).
- the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 is placed onto the shallow bottom portion 35 b of the insertion recess 34 as seen in FIG. 35. Then, in this state, the keyboard 3 is moved rearwardly as seen in FIG. 36. While the keyboard 3 is moved rearwardly in this manner, when the front edge of the bottom face 8 c of the positioning projection 8 or the front edge of the bottom face 9 c of the positioning projection 9 is positioned at the offset portion 35 a , the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 drops by a distance corresponding to the offset of the offset portion 35 a and is inserted into the deep bottom portion 35 c as seen in FIG. 37.
- the positioning projection 8 or 9 is inserted smoothly into the deep bottom portion 35 c.
- the offset portion 35 a and the deep bottom portion 35 c are formed on the stand 5 such that, when the keyboard 3 is moved rearwardly, the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 drops by an amount corresponding to the offset between the offset portion 35 a and the deep bottom portion 35 c in this manner, the user can recognize from sound and vibration when the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 drops into the deep bottom portion 35 c that the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 has been inserted into the deep bottom portion 35 c . Accordingly, the user can recognize it with certainty depending upon the sense of hearing and the sense of sight that the positioning projection 8 or the positioning projection 9 has been inserted into the deep bottom portion 35 c . Consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- the inputting pen 62 is used as means for performing an inputting operation without using the keyboard 3
- the inputting method which does not use the keyboard 3 is not limited to the inputting pen 62 .
- a communication apparatus which can input by radio communication or the like may be used as such an inputting method as just described.
- the mouse 60 also it is possible to use the mouse 60 to perform inputting as described above or to perform inputting using voice.
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Abstract
An information processing apparatus is disclosed which occupies a minimized space when it is not used. The information processing apparatus includes a stand including a base and a support arm extending uprightly from the base, a display unit supported for pivotal motion on the support arm, and a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys provided thereon. The support arm includes an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion. The upper arm portion has an upper pivotal fulcrum at an upper end portion thereof for supporting the display unit for pivotal motion, and the lower arm portion has a lower pivotal fulcrum provided at an upper end portion thereof for supporting the upper arm portion for pivotal motion. An accommodation space for accommodating the keyboard placed on the base is formed between the base of the stand and the display unit when the upper arm portion of the support arm is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion and the display unit is pivoted with respect to the upper arm portion until the base is covered with the display unit.
Description
- This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus which includes a keyboard and a display unit which is supported for pivotal motion on a stand.
- An information processing apparatus is conventionally known which includes a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys provided thereon and a display unit having a display screen and supported for pivotal motion on a stand.
- A conventional information processing apparatus of the type mentioned includes a base having a stand to be placed on a desk and a support arm mounted for pivotal motion on the base. A display unit is supported for pivotal motion at the upper end of the support arm. If the support arm is pivoted so as to be tilted forwardly with respect to the base and then the display unit is pivoted with respect to the support arm, then the display unit can be positioned in an inclined relationship such that a display screen thereof is directed substantially upwardly or obliquely forwardly upwards. In the state wherein the display unit is inclined in this manner, the user can, for example, use an annexed input pen to perform hand-written inputting or use such an annexed input pin and a keyboard to use both of hand-written inputting from the display screen and key inputting through operation keys to perform an inputting operation, an editing operation of inputted information and other necessary operations.
- Where the display unit is inclined such that the display screen thereof is directed substantially upwardly or obliquely forwardly upwards in this manner, the user can perform an inputting operation and other necessary operations readily in a natural posture like a case wherein the user normally writes characters and so forth on a desk using a writing tool.
- However, after the user performs its operation in a state wherein the display unit is inclined substantially upwardly or substantially obliquely upwards as described above, the user frequently interrupts or stops the operation while the state described above is maintained.
- With the conventional information processing apparatus described above, however, when operation is to be interrupted or stopped in a state wherein the display unit is inclined, it cannot be avoided to leave the keyboard placed at a position other than the space occupied by the display unit. Therefore, when the information processing apparatus is not used, several components of the information processing apparatus including the keyboard and the display unit occupy a large space, which gives rises to a disadvantage that reduction in space cannot be achieved and the information apparatus occupies an unnecessary large area on a desk when it is intended to perform some other operation on the desk.
- Not only where the display unit is inclined as described above, but such components of the information processing apparatus as the display unit and the keyboard individually occupy the space on the desk. Also this deteriorates the space efficiency similarly.
- Further, if the keyboard does not include a keyboard cover, it is disadvantageous also in that foreign substances such as dust are liable to be admitted into the inside of the keyboard through the gaps between the operation keys and holes formed in the keyboard having the operation keys arranged therein.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus which occupies a minimized space when it is not used.
- In order to attain the object described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising a stand including a base to be placed on a desk and a support arm extending uprightly from the base, a display unit having a display screen and supported for pivotal motion on the support arm of the stand, and a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys provided thereon, the support arm including an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, the upper arm portion having an upper pivotal fulcrum at an upper end portion thereof for supporting the display unit for pivotal motion, the lower arm portion having a lower pivotal fulcrum provided at an upper end portion thereof for supporting the upper arm portion for pivotal motion, an accommodation space for accommodating the keyboard placed on the base being formed between the base of the stand and the display unit when the upper arm portion of the support arm is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion around the lower pivotal fulcrum and the display unit is pivoted with respect to the upper arm portion around the upper pivotal fulcrum until the base is covered with the display unit.
- With the information processing apparatus, when the upper arm portion of the support arm is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion around the lower pivotal fulcrum and the display unit is pivoted with respect to the upper arm portion around the upper pivotal fulcrum until the base is covered with the display unit, the accommodation space in which the keyboard placed on the base can be accommodated is formed between the base of the stand and the display unit. Consequently, since the keyboard can be accommodated in the accommodation space when the keyboard is not used, the keyboard does not occupy an unnecessary space on the desk, and therefore, reduction of the space can be anticipated. Further, when the keyboard is not used, sticking of dust to the operation keys of the keyboard and admission of dust into the inside of the keyboard can be prevented.
- Preferably, a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and the keyboard and the keyboard cover can be accommodated in the accommodation space when the keyboard cover is in the covering position. With the information processing apparatus, when the keyboard is accommodated in the accommodation space, sticking of dust to the operation keys of the keyboard and admission of dust into the inside of the keyboard can be prevented further effectively.
- Preferably, a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and the keyboard and the keyboard cover can be accommodated in the accommodation space when the keyboard cover is in the uncovering position. With the information processing apparatus, also the keyboard cover which does not cover over the operation keys can be accommodated in the accommodation space, and consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use of the keyboard can be anticipated.
- Preferably, when the accommodation space is formed, an end portion of a face of the display unit opposite to a face on which the display screen is provided contacts with the desk and part of the face of the display unit opposite to the face on which the display screen is provided contacts face-by-face with the upper arm portion of the support arm. With the information processing apparatus, the display unit can be disposed stably while preventing otherwise possible play of the display unit.
- Preferably, when the upper arm portion is not pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion and therefore the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion extend along a line and the display screen of the display unit is directed substantially forwardly, an accommodation space for accommodating the keyboard is formed between a lower end of the display unit and the base of the stand. With the information processing apparatus, where the keyboard is placed on the base when the information processing apparatus is not used, the keyboard does not occupy an unnecessary area of the desk, and consequently, reduction of the space can be anticipated.
- Preferably, a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and when the accommodation space is formed, the keyboard with the operation keys covered with the keyboard cover can be disposed in contact with or in the proximity of the display unit forwardly of the display unit, whereas, when the keyboard is disposed forwardly of the display unit, a face of the display unit on which the display screen is provided and an upper face of the keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane. With the information processing apparatus, the entire display unit and keyboard cover can be used as a hand receiving table. The use of the hand receiving table reduces the fatigue to the arms of the user, and therefore, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- Further, since the face of the display unit on which the display screen is provided and the upper face of the keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane, the display unit and the keyboard on which the keyboard cover is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance.
- Preferably, a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of the keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which the keyboard cover covers over all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard and an uncovering position at which the keyboard cover does not cover all or some of the operation keys of the keyboard, and when the accommodation space is formed, the keyboard with the operation keys uncovered can be disposed in contact with or in the proximity of the display unit forwardly of the display unit, whereas, when the keyboard with the operation keys uncovered is disposed forwardly of the display unit, a face of the display unit on which the display screen is provided, an upper face of the keyboard and an upper face of the keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane. With the information processing apparatus, the entire display unit and keyboard cover can be used as a hand receiving table. The use of the hand receiving table reduces the fatigue to the arms of the user, and therefore, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- Further, since the face of the display unit on which the display screen is provided, the upper face of the keyboard and the upper face of the keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane, the display unit and the keyboard on which the keyboard cover is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance.
- Preferably, a one-way clutch mechanism which exerts, when the upper arm portion is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion in a direction in which the display unit is moved down, a load to the moving down force, but does not exert, when the upper arm portion is pivoted with respect to the lower arm portion in another direction in which the display unit is moved up, a load to the moving up force, is used for the lower pivotal fulcrum. With the information processing apparatus, when the user tries to move up the display unit, it is not acted upon by a load other than the weight of the display unit and the upper arm portion. Therefore, the display unit can be lifted readily with weak force, and consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use of the information processing apparatus can be anticipated.
- Further, the display unit can be stopped at an arbitrary position. Therefore, the user can use the display unit at a suitable position in accordance with the necessity, and consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- Preferably, the keyboard has a positioning portion at a lower face portion thereof and is movable in a leftward and rightward direction on the base while the display unit covers over the base, and the base of the stand has a position restriction portion for being engaged, when the keyboard is moved in the leftward or rightward direction with respect to the base, by the positioning portion of the keyboard to restrict the position of the keyboard in the leftward and rightward direction. With the information processing apparatus, when some other inputting means other than the keyboard such as an inputting pen is used for inputting, some of the operation keys disposed on the keyboard can be exposed from the arrangement space and used for inputting. Consequently, efficient operation can be performed within a necessary but minimum space, and augmentation of the convenience of use of the information processing apparatus can be anticipated.
- When both of the keyboard and some other inputting means are used for inputting, the keyboard and the display unit are disposed near to the user. Consequently, significant augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- Further, only such operation keys as ten keys need not be provided on a side portion (on a screen frame) of the display screen of the display unit, and consequently, an increase of the size of the display unit can be prevented.
- The positioning portion of the keyboard may be formed as a projection which projects from the lower face portion, and the position restriction portion of the base may be formed as a recess into which the projection can be inserted. With the information processing apparatus, those portions provided originally in the information processing apparatus are used as the positioning portion and the position restriction portion, and accordingly, a special positioning projection or positioning restriction element need not be provided on the keyboard or the stand. Consequently, the keyboard can be positioned readily without increasing the production cost.
- Preferably, the positioning portion is provided at each of the left and right ends of the lower end portion of the keyboard. With the information processing apparatus, since the positioning projections are provided separately from each other at the opposite left and right end portions of the bottom wall of the keyboard, both of the position at which the keyboard projects rightwardly from the accommodation space and the position at which the keyboard projects leftwardly from the accommodation space can be set, which expands the number of different forms of use of the information processing apparatus. Consequently, significant augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated.
- Preferably, the recess of the base has an offset portion formed therein in such a manner as to extend in the leftward and rightward direction and is formed such that a portion of the recess rearwardly of the offset portion has a bottom shallower than a bottom of another portion of the recess which is forwardly of the offset portion. With the information processing apparatus, the user can recognize with certainty that the positioning projection has been inserted into the deeper portion of the recess.
- Preferably, a control circuit board for controlling a signal to be outputted upon operation of the operation keys is disposed in the inside of at least one of the positioning portions. The disposition of the control circuit board allows the keyboard to be designed with a reduced thickness.
- Preferably, an accommodation recess is formed in each of the positioning portions on the opposite sides of the keyboard, and a support foot for being accommodated into the accommodation recess is supported for pivotal motion on each of the positioning portions, the keyboard being held in a horizontal state in the leftward and rightward direction by pulling out, while one of the positioning portions is inserted in the recess of the position restriction portion, the support foot from the accommodation recess provided on the other one of the positioning portions and erecting the support foot on the desk. With the information processing apparatus, the keyboard can be held in a horizontal state very readily.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an entire configuration of an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing a keyboard of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 with a keyboard cover removed;
- FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the keyboard of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in a state wherein operation keys of the keyboard are covered with the keyboard cover;
- FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in a state wherein the operation keys are covered with the keyboard cover;
- FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in another state wherein the operation keys are uncovered;
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in a state wherein the operation keys are uncovered and support feet are pulled out;
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the support feet shown in FIG. 7;
- FIGS. 9, 10,11, 12 and 13 are a right side elevational view, a left side elevational view, a front elevational view, a rear elevational view and a top plan view, respectively, showing a stand and a display unit of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the display unit shown in FIG. 9;
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a pivotal support mechanism of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15;
- FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view showing a one-way clutch mechanism of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is rotated while a load is applied to an outer race;
- FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 but showing the one-way clutch mechanism when it is rotated while no load is applied to the outer race;
- FIG. 19 is a side elevational view showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is not used and the keyboard is partially accommodated in an accommodation space;
- FIGS. 20 and 21 are a side elevational view and a top plan view, respectively, showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is not used and the keyboard whose operation keys are covered is accommodated in the accommodation space;
- FIG. 22 is a side elevational view showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when the keyboard whose operation keys are uncovered is accommodated in the accommodation space;
- FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used in a standard form of use;
- FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used while the display unit is in its lowered position;
- FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used while the display unit is placed on a desk;
- FIGS. 26 and 27 are a side elevational view and a top plan view, respectively, of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein it is used while the display unit is inclined and the operation keys of the keyboard are covered;
- FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while the display unit is inclined and the operation keys of the keyboard are uncovered;
- FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while a positioning projection on the left side is positioned leftwardly of the base and the keyboard partially projects rightwardly from the accommodation space;
- FIGS. 30 and 31 are top plan views of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while the positioning projection on the left side is positioned in an insertion recess of the base and the keyboard partially projects rightwardly from the accommodation space and besides the keyboard is positioned at the left end and the right end of the range of movement thereof, respectively;
- FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while the positioning projection on the left side is positioned in the insertion recess of the base and the keyboard partially projects rightwardly from the accommodation space;
- FIGS. 33 and 34 are top plan views of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 when it is used while a positioning projection on the right side is positioned in the insertion recess of the base and the keyboard partially projects leftwardly from the accommodation space and besides the keyboard is positioned at the right end and the left end of the range of movement thereof, respectively;
- FIG. 35 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein one of the positioning projections of the keyboard is inserted into the insertion recess of the base and particularly placed at a shallow portion of the insertion recess;
- FIG. 36 is a similar view but showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein the keyboard is positioned at a rearwardly moved position; and
- FIG. 37 is a similar view but showing the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state wherein the positioning projection of the keyboard is inserted in the insertion recess of the base.
- Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The information processing apparatus is generally denoted at1 and includes an
apparatus body 2, akeyboard 3, adisplay unit 4, and astand 5 for supporting thedisplay unit 4. - The
apparatus body 2 is of the vertical type vertically elongated as viewed from the front and has an opening/closing lid 2 a provided on the front thereof. If the opening/closing lid 2 a is opened, then a predetermined recording medium can be inserted into a slot not shown of theapparatus body 2. Such a processing element as a central processing unit (CPU) is provided in theapparatus body 2 and performs various processes for a signal inputted by operation of operation keys or the like of thekeyboard 3 which are hereinafter described. - Referring now to FIG. 2, the
keyboard 3 includes ahousing 6 having a horizontally elongated substantially rectangular shape and a plurality ofpredetermined operation keys 7 disposed on thehousing 6. Key arrangement holes are formed in atop wall 6 a of thehousing 6, and theoperation keys 7 are disposed in the key arrangement holes. - A plurality of
hot keys 7 a having functions as shortcut keys to Internet mail software and so froth are disposed at a right end portion of thetop wall 6 a of thehousing 6. Tenkeys 7 b for inputting numerical values and so forth are disposed at a portion of thetop wall 6 a of thehousing 6 on the left side of thehot keys 7 a, and anenter key 7 c is disposed at a position on the left side of the tenkeys 7 b. -
Control keys 7 d,alt keys 7 e, aspace key 7 f and so forth are arranged in the frontmost one of rows on the left side of the tenkeys 7 b. Further,numeral keys 7 g by which numerical values and so forth can be inputted are disposed in the second rearmost row on the left side of the tenkeys 7 b, andfunction keys 7 h are disposed in the rearmost row in a juxtaposed relationship to thenumeral keys 7 g. The arrangement of thefunction keys 7 h in a juxtaposed relationship to thenumeral keys 7 g in this manner is effective to reduce the depthwise dimension of thekeyboard 3. - Referring now to FIG. 3, a pair of
positioning projections bottom wall 6 b of thehousing 6. Thepositioning projections keyboard 3 is placed on a desk 100 (FIG. 5)or the like. Thepositioning projections bottom wall 6 b of thehousing 6. - The
positioning projection 8 positioned on the left side has a width in the leftward and rightward direction smaller than that of theother positioning projection 9 and has a vertically elongated substantially rectangular shape (refer to FIG. 3). Thepositioning projection 8 has afront face 8 a and arear face 8 b formed as inclined faces which are displaced toward each other downwardly as seen in FIG. 5. Arear seat 8 d formed from a flexible material such as, for example, rubber is adhered to a rear end portion of abottom face 8 c of thepositioning projection 8 as seen in FIG. 3. - An
accommodation recess 10 is formed at a position of thepositioning projection 8 forwardly of therear seat 8 d as seen in FIG. 3. Theaccommodation recess 10 is open downwardly and is open, at a front end portion thereof, sidewardly, that is, at aleft side face 6 c of thehousing 6 through a communicatingportion 10 a. Asupport foot 11 is supported for pivotal motion on thepositioning projection 8 as seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8. - The
support foot 11 has amain portion 11 a and a pulling out projection lib formed integrally with themain portion 11 a and extending leftwardly from one end portion of themain portion 11 a. Thesupport foot 11 is supported for pivotal motion around abase end portion 11 c of themain portion 11 a accommodated at a rear end portion of theaccommodation recess 10. When thesupport foot 11 is accommodated in theaccommodation recess 10, the pulling outprojection 11 b is disposed in the communicatingportion 10 a and aleft side face 11 d of the pulling outprojection 11 b is positioned substantially in the same plane as theleft side face 6 c of thehousing 6 or projecting a little leftwardly from theleft side face 6 c such that the left side face lid is exposed to the left side of thekeyboard 3. In this state, alower face 11 e of thesupport foot 11 is positioned on the same plane as thebottom face 8 c of thepositioning projection 8 as seen in FIG. 5. - The
positioning projection 9 positioned on the right side has a length in the forward and backward direction equal to that of theother positioning projection 8 and has a vertically elongated substantially rectangular shape a seen in FIG. 3. Thepositioning projection 9 has afront face 9 a and arear face 9 b formed as inclined faces which are displaced toward each other downwardly as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The inclination angles of thefront face 9 a and therear face 9 b are equal to those of thefront face 8 a and therear face 8 b of thepositioning projection 8, respectively. Arear seat 9 d formed from a flexible material such as, for example, rubber is adhered to a rear end portion of abottom face 9 c of thepositioning projection 9 similarly to thebottom face 8 c of thepositioning projection 8 as seen in FIG. 3. - An
accommodation recess 12 is formed at a position of thepositioning projection 9 corresponding to the position at which theaccommodation recess 10 of thepositioning projection 8 is formed as seen in FIG. 3. Theaccommodation recess 12 is open downwardly and is open, at a front half thereof, sidewardly, that is, at aright side face 6 d of thehousing 6 through a communicatingportion 12 a. Asupport foot 13 is supported for pivotal motion on thepositioning projection 9 as seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. - The
support foot 13 has amain portion 13 a and a pulling outprojection 13 b formed integrally with the .main portion 13 a and extending rightwardly from one end portion of themain portion 13 a. Thesupport foot 13 is supported for pivotal motion around abase end portion 13 c of themain portion 13 a accommodated at a rear end portion of theaccommodation recess 12. When thesupport foot 13 is accommodated in theaccommodation recess 12, the pulling outprojection 13 b is disposed in the communicatingportion 12 a and aright side face 13 d of the pulling outprojection 13 b is positioned substantially in the same plane as theright side face 6 d of thehousing 6 or projecting a little rightwardly from theright side face 6 d such that theright side face 13 d of thesupport foot 13 is exposed to the right side of thekeyboard 3. In this state, alower face 13 e of thesupport foot 13 is positioned on the same plane as thebottom face 9 c of thepositioning projection 9 as seen in FIG. 6. - When the
support feet projections portions left side face 11 d of thesupport foot 11 and theright side face 13 d of thesupport foot 13 are exposed to the opposite sides of thekeyboard 3. Accordingly, the user can pull out thesupport foot accommodation recess support foot right side face 13 d is held inwardly with its finger. Therefore, thesupport feet keyboard 3, thereby achieving augmentation of the convenience of use of thekeyboard 3. - If the
keyboard 3 is placed on thedesk 100 while thesupport feet keyboard 3 is placed on thedesk 100 while both of thesupport feet keyboard 3 is placed on thedesk 100 with thesupport feet - A
control circuit board 14 for controlling various signals to be outputted when theoperation keys 7 are operated is disposed in the inside of thepositioning projection 9 as seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, since thecontrol circuit board 14 is not disposed in the inside of thehousing 6 other than thepositioning projections keyboard 3 can be formed with a thickness reduced as much. - A pair of
front seats 15 are adhered to the opposite left and right end portions of a front end portion of thebottom wall 6 b of thehousing 6 as seen in FIG. 3. Thefront seats 15 are formed from a rubber material or the like similar to that of therear seats positioning projections front seats 15 have a semicircular shape projecting downwardly as viewed from sidewardly and normally contact with thedesk 100 irrespective of the inclination angle of thekeyboard 3 as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7. - When the
support feet keyboard 3 is supported at the four points thereof including thefront seats 15 and therear seats desk 100 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. On the other hand, when thesupport feet keyboard 3 is supported at the four points thereof including thefront seats 15 and thesupport feet desk 100 as seen in FIG. 7. Accordingly, thekeyboard 3 is placed normally stably on thedesk 100. Further, since thebottom wall 6 b of thehousing 6 and the bottom faces 8 c and 9 c of thepositioning projections desk 100 at all, thehousing 6 can be prevented from being abraded or damaged. - The
housing 6 has afront wall 6 e formed such that anupper portion 6 f thereof is formed in a substantially semicircular shape which is convex forwardly as viewed from sidewardly and alower portion 6 g contiguous to theupper portion 6 f is formed as an inclined portion which is displaced downwardly rearwards as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7. - A pair of forwardly open support recesses6 h are formed at portions rather near to the left and right ends of a front end portion of the
housing 6, and asupport shaft 6 i extends in and through each of the support recesses 6 h as seen in FIG. 3. Akeyboard cover 16 is supported for pivotal motion on thesupport shafts 6 i as seen in FIGS. 4 to 7. - The
keyboard cover 16 is formed as a substantially rectangular flat plate having a size sufficient to cover over all of theoperation keys 7 disposed on thekeyboard 3 except thehot keys 7 a. Thekeyboard cover 16 has afirst cover member 17 and asecond cover member 18. A pair of supportedprojections 19 are formed in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other integrally at anend portion 17 b of aninner face 17 a of thefirst cover member 17. The other end portion of thefirst cover member 17 is connected for pivotal motion to an end portion of thesecond cover member 18 by ahinge fulcrum 20. - The
first cover member 17 is inclined such that theend portion 17 b, that is, a front end portion, thereof is displaced forwardly downwards when it covers over theoperation keys 7. A pair ofsmall projections 17 d having a small semispherical shape are formed in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other at positions rather near to the hinge fulcrum 20 of anouter face 17 c of thefirst cover member 17. Thehinge fulcrum 20 is provided on theinner face 17 a of thefirst cover member 17 and aninner face 18 a of thesecond cover member 18. Accordingly, in any of a state wherein thekeyboard cover 16 covers over theoperation keys 7 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 and another state wherein thekeyboard cover 16 is folded as hereinafter described as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, thehinge fulcrum 20 cannot be visually observed by the user. Therefore, thekeyboard 3 has a good appearance in this regard. - The
second cover member 18 is inclined such that afree end portion 18 b, that is, a rear end portion, thereof is displaced rearwardly downwardly when it covers over theoperation keys 7. A pair ofsupport portions 18 c are integrally formed at the opposite left and right end portions of thesecond cover member 18 and project from theinner face 18 a. Thesupport portions 18 c have a lower face formed as a moderate curved face. When thekeyboard cover 16 covers over theoperation keys 7, thesupport portions 18 c contact with portions rather near to the left end and the right end of thetop wall 6 a of thehousing 6, respectively, as seen in FIG. 5. Accordingly, thehot keys 7 a disposed at the right end portion of thehousing 6 are not covered with thekeyboard cover 16. - When the
keyboard cover 16 covers over theoperation keys 7, since theend portion 17 b of thefirst cover member 17 is inclined so as to be displaced forwardly downwards and thefree end portion 18 b of thesecond cover member 18 is inclined so as to be displaced rearwardly downwards as described hereinabove, small gaps are produced between thetop wall 6 a of thehousing 6 and a lower end of theend portion 17 b and a lower end of thefree end portion 18 b. This raises the dust-proof function of thekeyboard cover 16. - Each of the supported
projections 19 has abase end portion 19 a contiguous to thefirst cover member 17 and anfree end portion 19 b bent at a predetermined angle with respect to thebase end portion 19 a and having a supported slit 19 c formed thereon as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7. Thesupport shafts 6 i provided at the front end portion of thehousing 6 are inserted in the supported slits 19 c to support thekeyboard cover 16 for pivotal motion on thehousing 6. - If the
keyboard cover 16 is pivoted so as to be positioned forwardly of thehousing 6, then theoperation keys 7 having been covered with thekeyboard cover 16 are uncovered so that all of theoperation keys 7 can be operated. Then, if thefirst cover member 17 and thesecond cover member 18 are pivoted around thehinge fulcrum 20 so as to be folded together, then thekeyboard cover 16 can be used as a hand receiving table (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7). - In particular, the
keyboard cover 16 is folded such that theinner face 17 a of thefirst cover member 17 and theinner face 18 a of thesecond cover member 18 move toward each other, and thekeyboard cover 16 in the folded state is placed forwardly of thehousing 6 on thedesk 100. Where thekeyboard cover 16 is placed in such a state as just described, thesecond cover member 18 is positioned above thefirst cover member 17 and thefree end portion 18 b of thesecond cover member 18 contacts with a front end portion of thetop wall 6 a of thehousing 6. Since thelower portion 6 g of thefront wall 6 e of thehousing 6 is inclined so as to be displaced downwardly rearwards as described hereinabove, a space is formed below theupper portion 6 f forwardly of thelower portion 6 g, and a front end portion of theend portion 17 b of thefirst cover member 17 contacts with a lower edge of theupper portion 6 f. Meanwhile, thefirst cover member 17 is supported at thesmall projections 17 d thereof on thedesk 100. - Since the front end portion of the
free end portion 18 b of thesecond cover member 18 contacts with the front end portion of thetop wall 6 a while the front end portion of theend portion 17 b of thefirst cover member 17 contacts with theupper portion 6 f and thefirst cover member 17 is supported at thesmall projections 17 d thereof on thedesk 100 as described above, thekeyboard cover 16 is placed stably on thedesk 100 and the user can use thekeyboard cover 16 as a hand receiving table whose hand receiving face is provided by anouter face 18 d of thesecond cover member 18. At this time, thesecond cover member 18 of thekeyboard cover 16 is inclined forwardly downwards moderately. Further, since thekeyboard cover 16 contacts only at thesmall projections 17 d thereof with thedesk 100, otherwise possible damage to thekeyboard cover 16 can be prevented. - It is to be noted that the
keyboard cover 16 can be used as a hand receiving table in any of a state wherein thekeyboard 3 is placed on thedesk 100 while thesupport feet keyboard 3 is placed on thedesk 100 while thesupport feet - The
display unit 4 has adisplay screen 22 provided on the front of apanel 21 thereof and has a horizontal dimension substantially equal to a horizontal dimension of thekeyboard 3 as seen in FIGS. 9 to 14. Thepanel 21 includes afront panel 23 and arear panel 24 coupled to each other, and thedisplay screen 22 is provided on the front of thefront panel 23 as seen in FIG. 11. Thefront panel 23 has a pair of speaker sections (not shown) provided thereon on the opposite sides of thepanel 21. Thefront panel 23 has a lower end edge formed as aninclined edge 23 a which is displaced downwardly rearwards. A pair ofdial knobs display screen 22 are provided on the right side face of thefront panel 23 as seen in FIG. 9. - A central
upper end portion 24 c of therear panel 24 except aleft end portion 24 a and aright end portion 24 b is inclined so as to project downwardly rearwards as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12 to 14. Of portions of therear panel 24 below the centralupper end portion 24 c, portions on the opposite side of acentral portion 24 d, that is, a left sidemiddle portion 24 e and a right sidemiddle portion 24 f, are provided such that they project rearwardly rather than theleft end portion 24 a and theright end portion 24 b. - A pair of ground seats27 formed from a flexible material such as rubber are adhered to lower edges of the left side
middle portion 24 e and the right sidemiddle portion 24 f as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12 and 14. The ground seats 27 are adhered such that they extend from the lower edges of rear faces of the left sidemiddle portion 24 e and the right sidemiddle portion 24 f to the rear edges of lower faces of the left sidemiddle portion 24 e and the right sidemiddle portion 24 f, respectively. - A middle portion of the
central portion 24 d in the upward and downward direction is provided as a supportedportion 28 partly projected rearwardly as seen in FIGS. 12 and 14. A face of thecentral portion 24 d above the supportedportion 28 is formed as a first inclined face (upper inclined face) 24 g which is displaced forwardly toward the supportedportion 28, and another face of thecentral portion 24 d below the supportedportion 28 is formed as a secondinclined face 24 h which is displaced forwardly toward the supportedportion 28 as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 14. - The
stand 5 includes abase 29 and asupport arm 30 extending upwardly from a rear end portion of the base 29 as seen in FIGS. 9 to 13. - A left side portion and a right side portion of an upper face of the base29 except a
front end portion 29 a are formed as moderatelyinclined portions 29 b which are displaced rearwardly upwards as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Also thefront end portion 29 a is inclined so as to be displaced rearwardly upwards. The inclination angle of the front-end portion 29 a is greater than that of theinclined portions 29 b. - A USB (Universal Serial Bus)
connector 31 and amouse connector 32 are provided on a right side face of the base 29 as seen in FIG. 9. Meanwhile, akeyboard connector 33 is provided on a left side wall of the base 29 as seen in FIG. 10. - An
insertion recess 34 opened upwardly is formed on the top face of the base 29 such that it is positioned between theinclined portions 29 b as seen in FIGS. 9 to 11 and 13. A front end of abottom face 35 of theinsertion recess 34 is contiguous to front ends of theinclined portions 29 b, and a portion of thebottom face 35 which is contiguous to the rear side of an offset or shoulderedportion 35 a is formed as adeep bottom portion 35 c which is deeper than ashallow bottom portion 35 b. - The
shallow bottom portion 35 b and thedeep bottom portion 35 c are both formed as inclined faces which are moderately inclined rearwardly upwards. Thedeep bottom portion 35 c has a dimension in the forward and backward direction equal to or a little greater than the dimension of the bottom faces 8 c and 9 c of thepositioning projections keyboard 3 in the forward and backward direction. A face portion of thebottom face 35 which is rearwardly contiguous to thedeep bottom portion 35 c is formed as aninclined face 35 d which is displaced rearwardly upwards. Theinclined face 35 d has an inclination angle smaller than that of the rear faces 8 b and 9 b of thepositioning projections portion 35 a and the inclination angle of the front faces 8 a and 9 a of thepositioning projections - A left side opening edge and a right side opening edge of the
insertion recess 34 are formed asposition restriction portions keyboard 3 when thekeyboard 3 is moved in the leftward or rightward direction as hereinafter described. Also a left side edge and a right side edge of the base 29 are formed asposition restriction portions keyboard 3. - The
support arm 30 includes anupper arm member 40 and alower arm member 41, and theupper arm member 40 is supported for pivotal motion on thelower arm member 41 as seen in FIGS. 9 to 13. - The
display unit 4 is supported for pivotal motion at an upper end portion of theupper arm member 40 through the supportedportion 28. The portion of theupper arm member 40 at which thedisplay unit 4 is supported serves as an upperpivotal fulcrum 42. Thelower arm member 41 is provided integrally with thebase 29 and supports, at an upper end portion thereof, a lower end portion of theupper arm member 40. The portion of theupper arm member 40 at which it is supported on thelower arm member 41 serves as a lowerpivotal fulcrum 43. In a state wherein theupper arm member 40 is not pivoted with respect to thelower arm member 41 and they extend on a straight line, thesupport arm 30 is inclined a little forwardly from the vertical direction as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. - A
pivotal support mechanism 44 is provided in the inside of thestand 5 as seen in FIG. 15. Thepivotal support mechanism 44 allows thedisplay unit 4 to be pivoted with respect to theupper arm member 40 and allows theupper arm member 40 to be pivoted with respect to thelower arm member 41. - The
pivotal support mechanism 44 has a pair ofbase brackets 45 disposed at lower end portions thereof in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other. Each of thebase brackets 45 has abase portion 45 a and asupport portion 45 b formed integrally with and extending uprightly from thebase portion 45 a. Astopper pin 45 c is provided at a rear end portion of an inner face of the each of thesupport portion 45 b such that it extends inwardly. - A
torque bracket 46 positioned on the left side includes a mounting piece 46 a and a supportedpiece 46 b formed integrally with the mounting piece 46 a such that it extends in a perpendicular direction from a left side edge of the mounting piece 46 a. Atorque bracket 47 positioned on the right side includes a mountingpiece 47 a and a pair of supportedpieces 47 b formed integrally with the mountingpiece 47 a such that they extend in a perpendicular direction from the opposite left and right side edges of the mountingpiece 47 a. The supportedpieces torque brackets recesses 46 c and 47 c and second engagingrecesses - The supported
piece 46 b of thetorque bracket 46 is supported for pivotal motion on thesupport portion 45 b of thebase bracket 45 on the left side by ashaft 48. The supportedpieces 47 b of thetorque bracket 47 are supported for pivotal motion on thesupport portion 45 b of thebase bracket 45 on the right side by ashaft 49. Theshaft 49 is longer than theshaft 48 and projects leftwardly by a great extent from thecorresponding base bracket 45. - A one-way
clutch mechanism 50 is interposed between thebase bracket 45 on the right side and thetorque bracket 47. The one-wayclutch mechanism 50 includes a plurality ofrollers 52 interposed between anouter race 51 and theshaft 48 which serves as an inner race as seen in FIGS. 16 to 18. A plurality of cam faces 51 a in the form of a curved face are formed in an equally spaced relationship from each other in a circumferential direction on an inner face of theouter race 51, and therollers 52 are disposed individually corresponding to the cam faces 51 a. Therollers 52 are supported for movement in circumferential directions with aretainer 53 and aspring member 54 interposed between each adjacent ones thereof. - If the
torque bracket 47 is pivoted in one direction, then therollers 52 are pressed against the cam faces 51 a and theshaft 49 by thespring members 54 to exert friction and therefore theouter race 51 is rotated under the friction as seen from FIG. 17. On the contrary, if thetorque bracket 47 is pivoted in the direction opposite to the one direction, then therollers 52 are moved so as to be released from the cam faces 51 a and therefore do not exert friction. Consequently, theouter race 51 is rotated idly free from theshaft 49 as seen from FIG. 18. Accordingly, when the user pivots thetorque bracket 47 in the one direction, a fixed load acts upon the user, but when the user pivots thetorque bracket 47 in the opposite direction, no load acts upon the user. - The
torque bracket 47 can be turned in the one direction until the first engagingrecess 47 c is engaged with thestopper pin 45 c of thecorresponding base bracket 45. In this instance, also thetorque bracket 46 is pivoted integrally with thetorque bracket 47, and when the first engagingrecess 47 c is engaged with thestopper pin 45 c of one of thebase brackets 45, also the first engaging recess 46 c is engaged with thestopper pin 45 c of theother base bracket 45. - On the other hand, the
torque bracket 47 can be pivoted in the opposite direction until the secondengaging recess 47 d is engaged with thestopper pin 45 c of thebase bracket 45. In this instance, also thetorque bracket 46 is pivoted integrally with thetorque bracket 47, and when the secondengaging recess 47 d is engaged with thestopper pin 45 c of one of thebase brackets 45, also the secondengaging recess 46 d is engaged with thestopper pin 45 c of theother base bracket 45. - A
main plate 55 is attached at a lower end portion thereof to the mountingpieces 46 a and 47 a of thetorque brackets support brackets 56 are attached in a leftwardly and rightwardly spaced relationship from each other to an upper end portion of themain plate 55 by means of screws. - Each of the
support brackets 56 includes a mountedpiece 56 a and a pair ofsupport pieces 56 b formed integrally with the mountedpiece 56 a such that they extend in a perpendicular direction from the opposite left and right side edges of the mountedpiece 56 a. Ashaft 57 is supported against rotation on thesupport pieces 56 b and partially extends outwardly from one of thesupport pieces 56 b which is positioned on the outer side. - A
torque bracket 58 is supported for pivotal motion at an outer end portion of each of theshafts 57. Each of thetorque brackets 58 includes a mountedpiece 58 a and asupport piece 58 b formed integrally on the mountedpiece 58 a in such a manner as to project in a perpendicular direction from the mountedpiece 58 a and supported on theshaft 57. - A
coil spring 59 is disposed between the outwardly positionedsupport piece 56 b of each of thesupport brackets 56 and thesupport piece 58 b of thecorresponding torque bracket 58 and fitted around the correspondingshaft 57. Each of the coil springs 59 has aninner end portion 59 a supported on a corresponding one of thesupport pieces 56 b and anouter end portion 59 b supported on a corresponding one of thesupport pieces 58 b. - The
pivotal support mechanism 44 is configured in such a manner as described above. Thebase brackets 45 are disposed in the inside of thelower arm member 41 and thebase 29 and are secured at thebase portions 45 a thereof in the inside of thebase 29. Thetorque brackets main plate 55 andsupport brackets 56 are disposed in the inside of theupper arm member 40. Thetorque brackets 58 are disposed in the inside of thedisplay unit 4 and are secured at themounted pieces 58 a thereof in the inside of thedisplay unit 4. - If the
display unit 4 is pivoted with respect to theupper arm member 40 around the upperpivotal fulcrum 42, then thetorque brackets 58 are pivoted under suitable friction exerted from theshafts 57. Accordingly, thedisplay unit 4 can be stopped at an arbitrary pivoted position with respect to theupper arm member 40. In this instance, since the pivotal motion of thedisplay unit 4 with respect to theupper arm member 40 may exert a force to urge thedisplay unit 4 to pivot in a direction opposite to the pivoting direction to return thedisplay unit 4 in the direction opposite to the pivoting direction, when thedisplay unit 4 is pivoted to a certain position, a force to urge thedisplay unit 4 in the pivoting direction is generated by the coil springs 59. - If the
upper arm member 40 is pivoted with respect to thelower arm member 41 around the lowerpivotal fulcrum 43, then thetorque brackets shafts torque bracket 47 is turned in the one direction, that is, in the direction in which theupper arm member 40 is tilted forwardly, then therollers 52 of the one-wayclutch mechanism 50 are pressed against the cam faces 51 a of theouter race 51 and theshaft 49 by thespring members 54 to exert friction and theouter race 51 is rotated under the friction as described hereinabove. Accordingly, theupper arm member 40 can be stopped at an arbitrary pivoted position, and thedisplay unit 4 supported on theupper arm member 40 can be stopped at an arbitrary position in the upward and downward direction. - On the other hand, if the
torque bracket 47 is pivoted in the direction opposite to the one direction, that is, in the direction in which theupper arm member 40 is moved up, then since therollers 52 of the one-wayclutch mechanism 50 are moved so as to be released from the cam faces 51 a, no friction is exerted and theouter race 51 is rotated idly free from theshaft 49 as described hereinabove. At this time, the user will normally lift thedisplay unit 4 to pivot theupper arm member 40. Consequently, when thetorque bracket 47 is pivoted in the other direction, no load acts upon the user except the weight of thedisplay unit 4 and theupper arm member 40 themselves. - Accordingly, where the one-way
clutch mechanism 50 is used for the lowerpivotal fulcrum 43, when the user tries to lift thedisplay unit 4, no load acts upon the user except the weight of thedisplay unit 4 and theupper arm member 40 themselves, and consequently, thedisplay unit 4 can be lifted readily with weak force. In this regard, augmentation of the convenience of use of theinformation processing apparatus 1 can be anticipated. - Further, since the
display unit 4 can be stopped at an arbitrary position, thedisplay unit 4 can be used at a suitable position. - The
keyboard 3 is connected to thekeyboard connector 33 while amouse 60 is connected to themouse connector 32. Thekeyboard 3 and themouse 60 are thus connected to theapparatus body 2 by aconnection cable 61 through thekeyboard connector 33 and themouse connector 32, respectively. Also thedisplay unit 4 is connected to theapparatus body 2 by theconnection cable 61. Similarly, theUSB connector 31 provided on thestand 5 is connected to theapparatus body 2 by theconnection cable 61. - The
information processing apparatus 1 includes an inputtingpen 62 for hand-written inputting. The inputtingpen 62 is held on apen stand 63 when it is not used. - In the following, forms of the
information processing apparatus 1 when it is used and is not used are described. - When the
information processing apparatus 1 is not used, thedisplay unit 4 is positioned such that thedisplay screen 22 is directed forwardly as seen in FIG. 19. When thedisplay screen 22 is directed forwardly, the lower end of thedisplay unit 4 is positioned immediately forwardly of the lowerpivotal fulcrum 43, and anaccommodation space 64 is formed between thedisplay unit 4 and thebase 29 of thestand 5 positioned below thedisplay unit 4. Accordingly, a rear end portion of thekeyboard 3 can be inserted from forwardly into theaccommodation space 64 until thekeyboard 3 is placed on thebase 29 of thestand 5. In this state, thebottom wall 6 b of thehousing 6 of thekeyboard 3 is received by theinclined portions 29 b of thebase 29. Since thekeyboard 3 is placed on thebase 29 and accommodated in theaccommodation space 64 when it is not used, thekeyboard 3 does not occupy an unnecessary large area of thedesk 100, and consequently, reduction of the space can be anticipated. - When the
information processing apparatus 1 is not used, thekeyboard 3 can be accommodated between thedisplay unit 4 and thebase 29 of thestand 5 as seen in FIGS. 20 to 22. In particular, while thekeyboard 3 is placed on thebase 29 of thestand 5, theupper arm member 40 is pivoted in a forwardly tilting direction around the lowerpivotal fulcrum 43 with respect to thelower arm member 41 and thedisplay unit 4 is pivoted around the upperpivotal fulcrum 42 with respect to theupper arm member 40 to a position in which thedisplay screen 22 thereof is directed upwardly until the ground seats 27 adhered to therear panel 24 of thedisplay unit 4 are brought into contact with thedesk 100. In the state wherein the ground seats 27 contact with thedesk 100, the upperinclined face 24 g of therear panel 24 contacts face-by-face with theupper arm member 40. In this instance, the inclination angle α of thedisplay unit 4 with respect to thedesk 100 is approximately 22°. - When the
upper arm member 40 and thedisplay unit 4 are pivoted in such a manner as described above, anaccommodation space 65 is formed between therear panel 24 of thedisplay unit 4 and thebase 29 of thestand 5, and thekeyboard 3 is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65. Since the leftward and rightward dimension of thekeyboard 3 and the leftward and rightward dimension of thedisplay unit 4 are substantially equal to each other, thekeyboard 3 accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 is entirely covered from above with thedisplay unit 4 as seen in FIG. 21. In this instance, a fixed gap is left between thekeyboard 3 and thedisplay unit 4 so that they may not interfere with each other. - In the
information processing apparatus 1, since thekeyboard 3 can be accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 when it is not used as described above, thekeyboard 3 does not occupy an unnecessary area of thedesk 100, and consequently, reduction of the space can be anticipated. - Further, sticking of dust to the
operation keys 7 of thekeyboard 3 and admission of dust into thehousing 6 of thekeyboard 3 can be prevented. - It is to be noted that the state wherein the
keyboard 3 is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 is a manner of use when, for example, hand-written inputting is performed using only the inputtingpen 62 without using thekeyboard 3. Also in such a manner of use, reduction of the space can be anticipated. - As described above, when the
keyboard 3 is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65, since the ground seats 27 of thedisplay unit 4 contact with thedesk 100 and the upperinclined face 24 g of therear panel 24 contact face-by-face with theupper arm member 40, thedisplay unit 4 is disposed stably and play of thedisplay unit 4 can be prevented. - It is to be noted that the
keyboard 3 can be accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 in any of a state wherein theoperation keys 7 are covered with thekeyboard cover 16 as seen in FIG. 20 and another state wherein theoperation keys 7 are uncovered and thekeyboard cover 16 is disposed forwardly of thekeyboard 3 as seen in FIG. 22. - Where the
keyboard 3 is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 with theoperation keys 7 covered with thekeyboard cover 16, sticking of dust to theoperation keys 7 and admission of dust into thehousing 6 of thekeyboard 3 can be prevented further effectively. - Also where the
operation keys 7 are uncovered and thekeyboard cover 16 are disposed forwardly of thekeyboard 3 as described above, thekeyboard 3 can be accommodated into theaccommodation space 65. Consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use of thekeyboard 3 can be anticipated. - Now, various forms of the
information processing apparatus 1 when it is used are described. - FIG. 23 illustrates a standard form of use of the
information processing apparatus 1. Referring to FIG. 23, theupper arm member 40 is not pivoted with respect to thelower arm member 41, and thedisplay unit 4 is set to a suitable angle in accordance with the eyes of the user. In this instance, theoperation keys 7 of thekeyboard 3 are uncovered, and thekeyboard cover 16 is positioned in a folded state forwardly of thekeyboard 3. Accordingly, the user can operate all of theoperation keys 7 of thekeyboard 3 and further can use the inputtingpen 62 to perform an inputting operation. - In this instance, the
keyboard cover 16 in the folded state can be used as a hand receiving table as described above, which allows the user to operate theoperation keys 7 easily. Consequently, augmentation in convenience of use can be anticipated. - When the
information processing apparatus 1 is to be used, thedisplay unit 4 and theupper arm member 40 can be pivoted to adjust the height and the angle of thedisplay unit 4, and the user can set thedisplay unit 4 to desired vertical and pivotal positions. FIG. 24 illustrates another form of use of theinformation processing apparatus 1 wherein thedisplay unit 4 is positioned at a rather lowered position. FIG. 25 illustrates a further form of use of theinformation processing apparatus 1 wherein thedisplay unit 4 rests on thedesk 100. Where theinformation processing apparatus 1 is used with thedisplay unit 4 positioned at a lowered position as seen in FIG. 24 or 25, the eyes of the user are lowered correspondingly, which lowers the eyelids and therefore is effective to prevent the pupils from becoming dry (dry eye). - Where the
display unit 4 rests on thedesk 100 as seen in FIG. 25, to a user whose eyes frequently move back and forth between thekeyboard 3 and thedisplay unit 4, particularly to a novice, the distance of back and forth movements of the eyes is minimized, and also the movement of the neck is minimized. This is effective to reduce the fatigue to the user. - Where the
information processing apparatus 1 is used with thedisplay unit 4 placed on thedesk 100, thedisplay screen 22 is normally directed obliquely forwardly upwards from the relationship of the eyes of the user. In this state, theinclined edge 23 a at the lower end of thefront panel 23 and the rear faces 8 b and 9 b of thepositioning projections keyboard 3 extend substantially parallelly as described hereinabove and as seen in FIG. 25. Consequently, thedisplay unit 4 and thekeyboard 3 provide to the user a feeling that they are unitary, and exhibit a good appearance. Further, since the ground seats 27 are provided such that they extend from the lower edges of the rear faces of the left sidemiddle portion 24 e and the right sidemiddle portion 24 f of thedisplay unit 4 to the rear edges of the lower faces of the left sidemiddle portion 24 e and the right sidemiddle portion 24 f as described hereinabove, even when thedisplay unit 4 is placed on thedesk 100 and set to any pivoted position, the ground seats 27 always contact with thedesk 100 such that thedisplay unit 4 can be received stably on thedesk 100. Besides, otherwise possible damage to thedisplay unit 4 can be prevented. - FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a form of use of the
information processing apparatus 1 in a state wherein thedisplay screen 22 of thedisplay unit 4 is inclined or tilted most from the vertical position. Thedisplay unit 4 is inclined (at the inclination angle a of approximate 22°) in a state same as the state in which theaccommodation space 65 described above is formed, and the ground seats 27 contact with thedesk 100 and the upperinclined face 24 g of therear panel 24 contacts face-by-face with theupper arm member 40. Thekeyboard 3 is placed on thedesk 100 in a neighboring or contacting relationship forwardly of thedisplay unit 4, and theoperation keys 7 thereof are covered with thekeyboard cover 16. In this state, hand-written inputting is usually performed using the inputtingpen 62 through thedisplay screen 22. However, also it is possible to operate thehot keys 7 a which are not covered with thekeyboard cover 16. - When the user performs an inputting operation using the inputting
pen 62, the user can place its hands or arms on the upper face of thekeyboard cover 16. In this instance, thedisplay unit 4 and thekeyboard cover 16 entirely act as a hand receiving table. Accordingly, the fatigue to the arms is reduced, and consequently, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience in use can be anticipated. - The upper edge of the rear end portion of the
keyboard 3 is positioned in the neighborhood of or in contact with thedisplay unit 4, and thekeyboard 3 is inclined moderately forwardly downwards. The rear end edge of thekeyboard cover 16 is positioned in the neighborhood of the front edge of thedisplay unit 4, and the face of thedisplay unit 4 on which thedisplay screen 22 is provided and the upper face of thekeyboard cover 16 are positioned in the substantially same plane. Accordingly, thedisplay unit 4 and thekeyboard 3 on which thekeyboard cover 16 is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance. - Also FIG. 28 illustrates a form of use of the
information processing apparatus 1 in the state wherein thedisplay screen 22 of thedisplay unit 4 is inclined most from the vertical position. However, different from the form of use of theinformation processing apparatus 1 of FIGS. 26 and 27, in the form of use of FIG. 28, theoperation keys 7 are uncovered, and thekeyboard cover 16 is positioned in a folded state forwardly of thekeyboard 3. Thedisplay unit 4 is inclined (at the inclination angle a of approximate 22°) in a state same as the state wherein theaccommodation space 65 described hereinabove is formed, and the ground seats 27 contact with thedesk 100 and the upperinclined face 24 g of therear panel 24 contact face-by-face with theupper arm member 40. In this state, since theoperation keys 7 are uncovered, hand-written inputting can be performed using the inputtingpen 62 through thedisplay screen 22, and besides all of theoperation keys 7 can be operated. Thus, in the present form of use, both of hand-written inputting by means of he inputtingpen 62 and inputting using thekeyboard 3 can be used. - When the
keyboard 3 is used to perform an inputting operation, the user can place its hands or arms on theouter face 18 d of thesecond cover member 18 of thekeyboard cover 16, and therefore, thekeyboard cover 16 serves as a hand receiving table. Accordingly, the fatigue to the arms is reduced, and consequently, the user can perform its operation easily and augmentation of the operation efficiency and augmentation of the convenience in use can be anticipated. - The upper edge of the rear end portion of the
keyboard 3 is positioned in the neighborhood of or in contact with thedisplay unit 4, and thekeyboard 3 is inclined moderately forwardly downwards. The rear end edge of thekeyboard cover 16 is positioned in the neighborhood of the front edge of thedisplay unit 4, and the face of thedisplay unit 4 on which thedisplay screen 22 is provided, thetop wall 6 a of thehousing 6 of thekeyboard 3 and theouter face 18 d of thesecond cover member 18 of thekeyboard cover 16 are positioned in the substantially same plane. Accordingly, thedisplay unit 4 and thekeyboard 3 on which thekeyboard cover 16 is supported are disposed unitarily and provide a good appearance. - It is to be noted that, in the state wherein the
display unit 4 is inclined as seen in FIG. 26 or 28, since the ground seats 27 of thedisplay unit 4 contact with thedesk 100 and the upperinclined face 24 g of therear panel 24 contact face-by-face with theupper arm member 40, thedisplay unit 4 is disposed stably and, when a pen inputting operation is performed through thedisplay screen 22, thedisplay unit 4 does not play. - Now, several forms of use of the
information processing apparatus 1 when thekeyboard 3 is partially accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 are described. In this instance, theaccommodation space 65 serves also as an arrangement space in which part of thekeyboard 3 is disposed. - The
keyboard 3 is moved rightwardly from a position in which thekeyboard 3 with theoperation keys 7 uncovered is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65 until thepositioning projection 8 is brought into contact with the left side edge of thebase 29 of thestand 5, that is, with theposition restriction portion 38 and further rightward movement of thekeyboard 3 is prevented by theposition restriction portion 38 so that thekeyboard 3 projects from theaccommodation space 65 as seen in FIG. 29. In this state, all of thehot keys 7 a and most of the tenkeys 7 b are exposed rightwardly from theaccommodation space 65. Accordingly, the user can perform both of a hand-written inputting operation by means of the inputtingpen 62 and an inputting operation by means of thehot keys 7 a and the tenkeys 7 b. - Usually, when both of pen-inputting and the
keyboard 3 are used, inputting of numerical values and so forth is performed in most cases using the tenkeys 7 b, and in most cases, thehot keys 7 a are used with a high frequency. In such an instance, where thehot keys 7 a and the tenkeys 7 b are exposed from theaccommodation space 65 and used as described above, efficient operation can be performed in a necessary but minimum space, and consequently, theinformation processing apparatus 1 can be used with improved convenience of use. - Further, when both of pen-inputting and the
keyboard 3 are used, if only thoseoperation keys 7 which are used with a high frequency are exposed from thedisplay unit 4 and used, then since thekeyboard 3 and thedisplay screen 22 are positioned near to the user, significant augmentation in convenience of use can be anticipated. - Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide only such operation keys as ten keys at a portion or screen frame of the
display unit 4 sidewardly of thedisplay screen 22, thereby upsizing of thedisplay unit 4 can be prevented. - It is to be noted that, in the
information processing apparatus 1, thepositioning projection 9 positioned on the right side of thekeyboard 3 has a great width such that, when thekeyboard 3 is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65, the left edge of thepositioning projection 9 is positioned in contact with or in the proximity of the right side edge of thestand 5, that is, theposition restriction portion 39 as seen in FIG. 21. Accordingly, even if it is tried to move thekeyboard 3 leftwardly from the position wherein thekeyboard 3 is accommodated in theaccommodation space 65, thepositioning projection 9 contacts with and is stopped by theposition restriction portion 39 against such movement. Consequently, thekeyboard 3 does not project leftwardly from thedisplay unit 4. - In the
information processing apparatus 1, the portion provided originally as a base seat portion on thekeyboard 3 is used as thepositioning projections stand 5 are used as theposition restriction portions keyboard 3 in the leftward and rightward directions. Accordingly, a special positioning projection or positioning restriction element need not be provided on thekeyboard 3 or thestand 5, and thekeyboard 3 can be positioned in the leftward and rightward directions readily without increasing the production cost. - FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate different forms of use of the
information processing apparatus 1 when theoperation keys 7 are uncovered and thepositioning projection 8 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34 of thestand 5 while thekeyboard 3 is partially exposed rightwardly from theaccommodation space 65. - More particularly, FIG. 30 shows the
keyboard 3 positioned at the left end of the range of movement where thepositioning projection 8 is disposed in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34. In this state, thekeyboard 3 is positioned with the left edge of thepositioning projection 8 contacted with theposition restriction portion 36 which is the left side opening edge of theinsertion recess 34, and not only thehot keys 7 a and the tenkeys 7 b but also theenter key 7 c and so forth are exposed rightwardly from theaccommodation space 65. Accordingly, the user can use both of a handwritten inputting operation by means of the inputtingpen 62 and an inputting operation by means of thehot keys 7 a, tenkeys 7 b,enter key 7 c and so forth. This form of use is convenient to a user such as a business user who frequently operates thoseoperation keys 7 which are disposed at a right side portion of thekeyboard 3. - FIG. 31 shows the
keyboard 3 positioned at the right end of the range of movement when thepositioning projection 8 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34. In this state, thekeyboard 3 is positioned with the right edge of thepositioning projection 8 contacted with theposition restriction portion 37 which is the right side opening edge of theinsertion recess 34, and thoseoperation keys 7 disposed at the further right side portion of thekeyboard 3 than that in FIG. 30 are exposed rightwardly from theaccommodation space 65. Also this form of use is convenient to a user such as a business user who frequently operates thoseoperation keys 7 which are disposed at the right side portion of thekeyboard 3. - The user can position the
keyboard 3 at an arbitrary position within the range of movement when thepositioning projection 8 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34. In order to make thekeyboard 3 project rightwardly while thepositioning projection 8 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34 in this manner, the rightside support foot 13 supported on thepositioning projection 9 must be pulled out from thecorresponding accommodation recess 12. If thesupport foot 13 is pulled out, then thepositioning projection 8 on thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34 and thesupport foot 13 on thedesk 100 hold thekeyboard 3 in a state wherein it is not inclined in the leftward and rightward directions as seen in FIG. 32. - FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate different forms of use wherein part of the
keyboard 3 is exposed leftwardly from theaccommodation space 65 while theoperation keys 7 are uncovered and thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34 of thestand 5. - More particularly, FIG. 33 shows the
keyboard 3 positioned at the right end of the range of movement when thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34. In this state, thekeyboard 3 is positioned with the right edge of thepositioning projection 9 contacted with theposition restriction portion 37 of theinsertion recess 34, and acontrol key 7 d, analt key 7 e,space key 7 f and so forth are exposed leftwardly from theaccommodation space 65. Accordingly, the user can use both of a handwritten inputting operation by means of the inputtingpen 62 and an inputting operation by means of thecontrol key 7 d,alt keys 7 e,space key 7 f and so forth. This form of use is convenient particularly to a user such as a creator user who frequently operates thoseoperation keys 7 which are disposed at the left side portion of thekeyboard 3. - FIG. 34 shows the
keyboard 3 positioned at the left end of the range of movement when thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34. In this state, thekeyboard 3 is positioned with the left edge of thepositioning projection 9 contacted with theposition restriction portion 36 of theinsertion recess 34, and thoseoperation keys 7 disposed at the further left side portion of thekeyboard 3 than that in FIG. 33 are exposed leftwardly from theaccommodation space 65. Also this form of use is convenient to a user such as a creator user who frequently operates thoseoperation keys 7 which are disposed at the left side portion of thekeyboard 3. - The user can position the
keyboard 3 at an arbitrary position within the range of movement when thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34. In order to make thekeyboard 3 project leftwardly while thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34 in this manner, the leftside support foot 11 supported on thepositioning projection 8 must be pulled out from thecorresponding accommodation recess 10. If thesupport foot 11 is pulled out, then thepositioning projection 9 on thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34 and thesupport foot 11 on thedesk 100 hold thekeyboard 3 in a state wherein it is not inclined in the leftward and rightward directions. - As described above, in the
information processing apparatus 1, the portion provided originally as a base seat portion on thekeyboard 3 is used as thepositioning projections insertion recess 34 are used as theposition restriction portions keyboard 3 in the leftward and rightward directions. Accordingly, a special positioning projection or positioning restriction element need not be provided on thekeyboard 3 or thestand 5, and thekeyboard 3 can be positioned in the leftward and rightward directions readily without increasing the production cost. - Further, since the
positioning projections keyboard 3, both of the position at which thekeyboard 3 projects rightwardly from theaccommodation space 65 and the position at which thekeyboard 3 projects leftwardly from theaccommodation space 65 can be set, which expands the number of different forms of use of theinformation processing apparatus 1. Consequently, significant augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated. - Furthermore, when one of the
positioning projection 8 and thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34, if thesupport foot 13 or thesupport foot 11 is pulled out, then thekeyboard 3 can be held in a state wherein it is not inclined in the leftward and rightward directions. Therefore, the state wherein thekeyboard 3 is not inclined can be held very readily. - Also in the
information processing apparatus 1, while thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 is inserted in thedeep bottom portion 35 c of theinsertion recess 34, thekeyboard 3 can be moved in the leftward or rightward direction so that it can be partially projected sidewardly from theaccommodation space 65. Such insertion of thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 of thekeyboard 3 into thedeep bottom portion 35 c is performed in the following manner (refer to FIGS. 35 to 37). - First, the
positioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 is placed onto theshallow bottom portion 35 b of theinsertion recess 34 as seen in FIG. 35. Then, in this state, thekeyboard 3 is moved rearwardly as seen in FIG. 36. While thekeyboard 3 is moved rearwardly in this manner, when the front edge of thebottom face 8 c of thepositioning projection 8 or the front edge of thebottom face 9 c of thepositioning projection 9 is positioned at the offsetportion 35 a, thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 drops by a distance corresponding to the offset of the offsetportion 35 a and is inserted into thedeep bottom portion 35 c as seen in FIG. 37. - In this instance, since the inclination angle of the
inclined face 35 d contiguous rearwardly to thedeep bottom portion 35 c is smaller than the inclination angle of the rear faces 8 b and 9 b of thepositioning projections portion 35 a and the inclination angle of the front faces 8 a and 9 a of thepositioning projections positioning projection deep bottom portion 35 c. - Since the offset
portion 35 a and thedeep bottom portion 35 c are formed on thestand 5 such that, when thekeyboard 3 is moved rearwardly, thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 drops by an amount corresponding to the offset between the offsetportion 35 a and thedeep bottom portion 35 c in this manner, the user can recognize from sound and vibration when thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 drops into thedeep bottom portion 35 c that thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 has been inserted into thedeep bottom portion 35 c. Accordingly, the user can recognize it with certainty depending upon the sense of hearing and the sense of sight that thepositioning projection 8 or thepositioning projection 9 has been inserted into thedeep bottom portion 35 c. Consequently, augmentation of the convenience of use can be anticipated. - If is to be noted that, while, in the foregoing description, the inputting
pen 62 is used as means for performing an inputting operation without using thekeyboard 3, the inputting method which does not use thekeyboard 3 is not limited to the inputtingpen 62. For example, a communication apparatus which can input by radio communication or the like may be used as such an inputting method as just described. Further, also it is possible to use themouse 60 to perform inputting as described above or to perform inputting using voice. - While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
Claims (14)
1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
a stand including a base to be placed on a desk and a support arm extending uprightly from said base;
a display unit having a display screen and supported for pivotal motion on said support arm of said stand; and
a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys provided thereon;
said support arm including an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, said upper arm portion having an upper pivotal fulcrum at an upper end portion thereof for supporting said display unit for pivotal motion, said lower arm portion having a lower pivotal fulcrum provided at an upper end portion thereof for supporting said upper arm portion for pivotal motion;
an accommodation space for accommodating said keyboard placed on said base being formed between said base of said stand and said display unit when said upper arm portion of said support arm is pivoted with respect to said lower arm portion around said lower pivotal fulcrum and said display unit is pivoted with respect to said upper arm portion around said upper pivotal fulcrum until said base is covered with said display unit.
2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of said keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which said keyboard cover covers over all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard and an uncovering position at which said keyboard cover does not cover all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard, and said keyboard and said keyboard cover can be accommodated in said accommodation space when said keyboard cover is in the covering position.
3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of said keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which said keyboard cover covers over all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard and an uncovering position at which said keyboard cover does not cover all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard, and said keyboard and said keyboard cover can be accommodated in said accommodation space when said keyboard cover is in the uncovering position.
4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when said accommodation space is formed, an end portion of a face of said display unit opposite to a face on which said display screen is provided contacts with the desk and part of the face of said display unit opposite to the face on which said display screen is provided contacts face-by-face with said upper arm portion of said support arm.
5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when said upper arm portion is not pivoted with respect to said lower arm portion and therefore said upper arm portion and said lower arm portion extend along a line and said display screen of said display unit is directed substantially forwardly, an accommodation space for accommodating said keyboard is formed between a lower end of said display unit and said base of said stand.
6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of said keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which said keyboard cover covers over all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard and an uncovering position at which said keyboard cover does not cover all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard, and when said accommodation space is formed, said keyboard with said operation keys covered with said keyboard cover can be disposed in contact with or in the proximity of said display unit forwardly of said display unit, whereas, when said keyboard is disposed forwardly of said display unit, a face of said display unit on which said display screen is provided and an upper face of said keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane.
7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a keyboard cover is supported at a front end portion of said keyboard for pivotal motion between a covering position at which said keyboard cover covers over all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard and an uncovering position at which said keyboard cover does not cover all or some of said operation keys of said keyboard, and when said accommodation space is formed, said keyboard with said operation keys uncovered can be disposed in contact with or in the proximity of said display unit forwardly of said display unit, whereas, when said keyboard with said operation keys uncovered is disposed forwardly of said display unit, a face of said display unit on which said display screen is provided, an upper face of said keyboard and an upper face of said keyboard cover are positioned in a substantially same plane.
8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a one-way clutch mechanism which exerts, when said upper arm portion is pivoted with respect to said lower arm portion in a direction in which said display unit is moved down, a load to the moving down force, but does not exert, when said upper arm portion is pivoted with respect to said lower arm portion in another direction in which said display unit is moved up, a load to the moving up force, is used for said lower pivotal fulcrum.
9. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said keyboard has a positioning portion at a lower face portion thereof and is movable in a leftward and rightward direction on said base while said display unit covers over said base, and said base of said stand has a position restriction portion for being engaged, when said keyboard is moved in the leftward or rightward direction with respect to said base, by said positioning portion of said keyboard to restrict the position of said keyboard in the leftward and rightward direction.
10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said positioning portion of said keyboard is formed as a projection which projects from said lower face portion, and said position restriction portion of said base is formed as a recess into which said projection can be inserted.
11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said positioning portion is provided at each of the left and right ends of said lower end portion of said keyboard.
12. An information processing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said recess of said base has an offset portion formed therein in such a manner as to extend in the leftward and rightward direction and is formed such that a portion of said recess rearwardly of said offset portion has a bottom shallower than a bottom of another portion of said recess which is forwardly of said offset portion.
13. An information processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a control circuit board for controlling a signal to be outputted upon operation of said operation keys is disposed in the inside of at least one of said positioning portions.
14. An information processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein an accommodation recess is formed in each of said positioning portions on the opposite sides of said keyboard, and a support foot for being accommodated into said accommodation recess is supported for pivotal motion on each of said positioning portions, said keyboard being held in a horizontal state in the leftward and rightward direction by pulling out, while one of said positioning portions is inserted in said recess of said position restriction portion, said support foot from said accommodation recess provided on the other one of said positioning portions and erecting said support foot on the desk.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
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JP2000268288A JP2002073214A (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2000-09-05 | Information processor |
JP2000-268288 | 2000-09-05 | ||
JP2000268287A JP2002073213A (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2000-09-05 | Information processor |
JP2000-268287 | 2000-09-05 |
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US09/945,984 Expired - Fee Related US6657853B2 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2001-09-04 | Information processing apparatus |
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WO2004008018A1 (en) * | 2002-07-16 | 2004-01-22 | Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Limited | Support for electrical display device |
EP1388704A1 (en) * | 2002-08-05 | 2004-02-11 | Elitegroup Computer Systems Co.,Ltd. | Elevation angle adjustment mechanism of display |
US20050029424A1 (en) * | 2003-08-06 | 2005-02-10 | Liu Alvin (Chien-Chung) | Adjusting assembly for LCD monitor |
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